CPU
GPU
Phenom II X4 B97
Xeon E5520
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 B97 is positioned at rank 241 and the Xeon E5520 is on rank 788, so the Phenom II X4 B97 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 B97
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5520
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X4 B97 | Xeon E5520 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($11) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X4 B97 | Xeon E5520 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($11) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 B97 and Xeon E5520
Phenom II X4 B97
The Phenom II X4 B97 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 2,540 points. Launch price was $100.
Xeon E5520
The Xeon E5520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,541 points. Launch price was $19.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X4 B97 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5520's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 B97 versus 2.53 GHz on the Xeon E5520 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 B97 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Phenom II X4 B97 uses the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E5520 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X4 B97 scores 2,540 against the Xeon E5520's 2,541 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5520. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 B97 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5520.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 B97 | Xeon E5520 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+26% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+42% | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Deneb (2009−2011) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 2,540 | 2,541 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X4 B97 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 B97 | Xeon E5520 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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