CPU
GPU
Phenom X4 9550
Core i7-2617M
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 X4 9550 is positioned at rank 382 and the Core i7-2617M is on rank 287, so the Core i7-2617M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X4 9550
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2617M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9550 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9550 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 X4 9550 and Core i7-2617M
Phenom X4 9550
The Phenom X4 9550 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 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: 1,667 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i7-2617M
The Core i7-2617M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,687 points. Launch price was $100.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2617M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9550 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core i7-2617M — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-2617M. The Phenom X4 9550 uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-2617M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9550 scores 1,667 against the Core i7-2617M's 1,687 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-2617M. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9550 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-2617M.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.6 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 4 MB+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 512 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Agena (2007−2008) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,667 | 1,687+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 448 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9550 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2617M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom X4 9550) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-2617M). The Core i7-2617M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom X4 9550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2617M targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core i7-2617M rivals A6-3400M.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core i7-2617M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Ultrabook |
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