CPU
GPU
Phenom X3 8550
Pentium N3530
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 X3 8550 is positioned at rank 513 and the Pentium N3530 is on rank 1156, so the Phenom X3 8550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8550
Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3530
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X3 8550 | Pentium N3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X3 8550 | Pentium N3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 X3 8550 and Pentium N3530
Phenom X3 8550
The Phenom X3 8550 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Abril 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,151 points. Launch price was $170.
Pentium N3530
The Pentium N3530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.58 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,159 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Phenom X3 8550 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Pentium N3530 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3530 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X3 8550 versus 2.58 GHz on the Pentium N3530 — a 15.9% clock advantage for the Pentium N3530. The Phenom X3 8550 uses the Toliman (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium N3530 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X3 8550 scores 1,151 against the Pentium N3530's 1,159 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium N3530. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8550 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3530.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8550 | Pentium N3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3 | 4 / 4+33% |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.58 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.16 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 65 nm | 22 nm-66% |
| Architecture | Toliman (2008) | Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,151 | 1,159 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X3 8550 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium N3530 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8550 | Pentium N3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | FCBGA1170 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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