AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE vs Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)

Comparative analysis of AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE and Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W) processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s).

AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE

CPU is newer: launch date 2 year(s) 6 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 33% higher clock speed: 3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
Around 19% lower typical power consumption: 80 Watt vs 95 Watt
4.3x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s): 2.25 vs 0.522

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	January 2010 vs July 2007
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	80 Watt vs 95 Watt
Benchmarks
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	2.25 vs 0.522

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)

2 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 2
8x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2.5x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s): 24.255 vs 9.709
Around 6% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s): 0.138 vs 0.13
3.5x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s): 0.748 vs 0.213
Around 66% better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s): 3.829 vs 2.308

Specifications (specs)
Number of cores	4 vs 2
L2 cache	8192 KB vs 512 KB (per core)
Benchmarks
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	24.255 vs 9.709
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.138 vs 0.13
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	0.748 vs 0.213
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	3.829 vs 2.308

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE
CPU 2: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

2.25

0.522

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

9.709

24.255

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

0.13

0.138

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

0.213

0.748

CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)

CPU 1

CPU 2

2.308

3.829

Name	AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE	Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)
PassMark - Single thread mark	1304
PassMark - CPU mark	1308
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	411
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	762
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	2.25	0.522
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	9.709	24.255
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.13	0.138
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	0.213	0.748
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	2.308	3.829

Compare specifications (specs)

	AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE	Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (95W)
Essentials
Architecture codename	Callisto	Kentsfield
Launch date	January 2010	July 2007
Place in performance rating	3046	3306
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Die size	258 mm	2x 143 mm
L1 cache	128 KB (per core)	256 KB
L2 cache	512 KB (per core)	8192 KB
L3 cache	6144 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	65 nm
Maximum frequency	3.2 GHz	2.4 GHz
Number of cores	2	4
Transistor count	758 million	582 million
Unlocked
Maximum case temperature (TCase)		62 °C
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	AM3	775
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	80 Watt	95 Watt