AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE vs Intel Core 2 Duo E6550

Comparative analysis of AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE and Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), 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 - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s).

AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE

Intel Core 2 Duo E6550

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE

CPU is newer: launch date 1 year(s) 7 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
1 more cores, run more applications at once: 3 vs 2
Around 20% higher clock speed: 2.8 GHz vs 2.33 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
6x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2.1x better performance in CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s): 0.161 vs 0.077

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	February 2009 vs July 2007
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	3 vs 2
Maximum frequency	2.8 GHz vs 2.33 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
L1 cache	128 KB (per core) vs 64 KB
Benchmarks
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.161 vs 0.077

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Duo E6550

2.7x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 46% lower typical power consumption: 65 Watt vs 95 Watt

L2 cache	4096 KB vs 512 KB (per core)
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 Watt vs 95 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE
CPU 2: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550

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

CPU 1

CPU 2

0.161

0.077

Name	AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE	Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.161	0.077
PassMark - Single thread mark		906
PassMark - CPU mark		891
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		303
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		527
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)		0.261
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)		18.666
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)		0.371
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)		1.88

Compare specifications (specs)

	AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE	Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
Essentials
Architecture codename	Heka	Conroe
Launch date	February 2009	July 2007
Place in performance rating	3211	3206
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Price now		$14.95
Processor Number		E6550
Series		Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status		Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)		29.56
Performance
64 bit support
Die size	258 mm	143 mm2
L1 cache	128 KB (per core)	64 KB
L2 cache	512 KB (per core)	4096 KB
L3 cache	6144 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	65 nm
Maximum frequency	2.8 GHz	2.33 GHz
Number of cores	3	2
Transistor count	758 million	291 million
Unlocked
Base frequency		2.33 GHz
Bus Speed		1333 MHz FSB
Maximum core temperature		72°C
VID voltage range		0.8500V-1.5V
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	AM3	PLGA775
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt	65 Watt
Low Halogen Options Available
Package Size		37.5mm x 37.5mm
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
FSB parity
Idle States
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)