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).

 

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 908
PassMark - CPU mark 896
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)