Phenom II X4 820 vs Pentium G3260
Phenom II X4 820
Pentium G3260
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Phenom II X4 820 is positioned at rank 916 and the Pentium G3260 is on rank 556, so the Pentium G3260 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X4 820
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3260
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X4 820 | Pentium G3260 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($21) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X4 820 | Pentium G3260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+138%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($50) | ✅ More affordable ($21) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X4 820 and Pentium G3260
Phenom II X4 820
The Phenom II X4 820 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $90.
Pentium G3260
The Pentium G3260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,116 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X4 820 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G3260 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom II X4 820 has 2 more cores. The Phenom II X4 820 is built on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Phenom II X4 820 scores 2,114 against the Pentium G3260's 2,116 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium G3260. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 820 vs 3 MB on the Pentium G3260.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 820 | Pentium G3260 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.3 GHz+18% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Deneb (2009−2011) | — |
| PassMark | 2,114 | 2,116 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X4 820 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3260 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 820 | Pentium G3260 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The Phenom II X4 820 launched at $150 MSRP, while the Pentium G3260 debuted at $64. At current prices ($50 vs $21), the Pentium G3260 is $29 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom II X4 820 delivers 42.3 pts/$ vs 100.8 pts/$ for the Pentium G3260 — making the Pentium G3260 the 81.8% better value option.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 820 | Pentium G3260 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $150 | $64-57% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50 | $21-58% |
| Performance per Dollar | 42.3 | 100.8+138% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2015 |
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