Phenom X4 9850B vs Xeon E5506

Phenom X4 9850B vs Xeon E5506 Performance Spectrum

Phenom X4 9850B

4 / 4

1,946

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5506

4 / 4

1,961

+0.8%

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.

Phenom X4 9850B vs Xeon E5506 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Phenom X4 9850B vs Xeon E5506: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Phenom X4 9850B

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,946 vs 1,961).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 4 MB).
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Xeon E5506

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5506 better than Phenom X4 9850B?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5506 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Phenom X4 9850B is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5506 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5506 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5506 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5506 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008), 100% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Phenom X4 9850B vs Xeon E5506 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Phenom X4 9850B

The Phenom X4 9850B 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: 2.5 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: 1,946 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5506

The Xeon E5506 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 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 1,961 points. Launch price was $43.

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Processing Power

Both the Phenom X4 9850B and Xeon E5506 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Phenom X4 9850B versus 0.13 GHz on the Xeon E5506 — a 180.2% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9850B. The Phenom X4 9850B uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Xeon E5506 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9850B scores 1,946 against the Xeon E5506's 1,961 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5506. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9850B vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5506.

Feature	Phenom X4 9850B	Xeon E5506
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+1823%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Agena (2007−2008)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,946	1,961

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Memory & Platform

The Phenom X4 9850B uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5506 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.