Phenom II X3 P840 vs Xeon X5647

AMD

Phenom II X3 P840

3 Cores3 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2010
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon X5647

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011
Similar parts
·······

Phenom II X3 P840 vs Xeon X5647 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Phenom II X3 P840 vs Xeon X5647 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Phenom II X3 P840 vs Xeon X5647: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Phenom II X3 P840

2010

Why buy it

  • Draws 2W instead of 130W, a 129W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5647 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (4,425 vs 4,441).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5647, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon X5647

2011

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

  • 8566.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 1.5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5647 better than Phenom II X3 P840?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5647 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Phenom II X3 P840 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon X5647 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5647 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon X5647 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon X5647 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon X5647 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Phenom II X3 P840 vs Xeon X5647 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

AMD

Phenom II X3 P840

The Phenom II X3 P840 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,425 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon X5647

The Xeon X5647 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,441 points. Launch price was $175.

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 P840 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Xeon X5647 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5647 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Phenom II X3 P840 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5647 — a 51% clock advantage for the Xeon X5647. The Phenom II X3 P840 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon X5647 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 P840 scores 4,425 against the Xeon X5647's 4,441 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon X5647.

FeaturePhenom II X3 P840Xeon X5647
Cores / Threads
3 / 3
4 / 8+33%
Boost Clock
1.9 GHz
3.2 GHz+68%
Base Clock
2.93 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.5 MB+500%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
32 nm-29%
Architecture
Champlain (2010−2011)
Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark
4,425
4,441
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 P840 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5647 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePhenom II X3 P840Xeon X5647
Socket
S1
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
RAM Channels
3
ECC Support
Yes
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Phenom II X3 P840) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon X5647). Primary use case: Xeon X5647 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5647 rivals Core i7-980X.

FeaturePhenom II X3 P840Xeon X5647
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Workstation