Phenom X3 8650
VS
Celeron 3855U

Phenom X3 8650 vs Celeron 3855U

AMD

Phenom X3 8650

3 Cores3 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Celeron 3855U

2 Cores2 Thrd15 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2015

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 8650 is positioned at rank 496 and the Celeron 3855U is on rank 193, so the Celeron 3855U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8650

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
7678%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
7255%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
5267%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
1587%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1257%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
1100%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
630%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
622%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
566%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
566%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
560%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
544%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
537%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
535%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
530%
#256
Ryzen 7 1700X
MSRP: $399|Avg: $60
96%
#371
Core 5 120UL
MSRP: $277|Avg: $270
96%
#372
Ryzen Embedded V3C14
MSRP: $305|Avg: $305
96%
#373
Core i7-9700T
MSRP: $323|Avg: $276
95%
#496
Phenom X3 8650
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#499
Pentium G4400
MSRP: $64|Avg: $85
99%
#501
Core i5-8600K
MSRP: $257|Avg: $100
97%
#505
Athlon II X4 651
MSRP: $92|Avg: $92
96%
#511
Athlon X4 880K
MSRP: $95|Avg: $25
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 3855U

#181
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
362%
#182
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
357%
#183
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
328%
#184
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
326%
#185
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
323%
#187
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
312%
#188
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
299%
#189
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
299%
#190
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
291%
#193
Celeron 3855U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#194
Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A
100%
#195
Atom N475
MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron 3855U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPhenom X3 8650Celeron 3855U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Phenom X3 8650 (2008) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPhenom X3 8650Celeron 3855U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 8650 and Celeron 3855U

AMD

Phenom X3 8650

The Phenom X3 8650 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 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: 1,218 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Celeron 3855U

The Celeron 3855U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, LPDDR3-1600/1866, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,215 points. Launch price was $107.

Processing Power

The Phenom X3 8650 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Celeron 3855U offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X3 8650 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X3 8650 versus 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 3855U — a 35.9% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8650. The Phenom X3 8650 uses the Toliman (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Celeron 3855U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X3 8650 scores 1,218 against the Celeron 3855U's 1,215 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom X3 8650. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8650 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3855U.

FeaturePhenom X3 8650Celeron 3855U
Cores / Threads
3 / 3+50%
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.3 GHz+44%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB (total)
2 MB
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)
512 kB
Process
65 nm
14 nm-78%
Architecture
Toliman (2008)
Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark
1,218
1,215
Geekbench 6 Single
361
Geekbench 6 Multi
632
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom X3 8650 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 3855U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePhenom X3 8650Celeron 3855U
Socket
AM2+
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4 2133 MHz
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
10
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Phenom X3 8650) / true (Celeron 3855U). The Celeron 3855U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 510), while the Phenom X3 8650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 3855U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 3855U rivals Pentium 3825U.

FeaturePhenom X3 8650Celeron 3855U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 510
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
Target Use
Budget