CPU
GPU
Phenom X4 9850B
Xeon X6550
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 9850B is positioned at rank 331 and the Xeon X6550 is on rank 879, so the Phenom X4 9850B 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 9850B
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X6550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9850B | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9850B | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 9850B and Xeon X6550
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 X6550
The Xeon X6550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,936 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9850B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X6550 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon X6550 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Phenom X4 9850B versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon X6550 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9850B. The Phenom X4 9850B is built on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9850B scores 1,946 against the Xeon X6550's 1,936 — a 0.5% lead for the Phenom X4 9850B. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9850B vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon X6550.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9850B | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+4% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 18 MB L3 Cache+800% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Agena (2007−2008) | — |
| PassMark | 1,946 | 1,936 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9850B uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X6550 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9850B | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | LGA1567 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| RAM Channels | — | 4 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom X4 9850B) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X6550). Primary use case: Xeon X6550 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X6550 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9850B | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Server |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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