AMD Phenom X4 9850B vs Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Comparative analysis of AMD Phenom X4 9850B and Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Compatibility, Virtualization, Memory, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score.

AMD Phenom X4 9850B

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Differences

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom X4 9850B

CPU is newer: launch date 9 month(s) later
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
Around 37% lower typical power consumption: 95 Watt vs 130 Watt

Launch date	August 2008 vs November 2007
L1 cache	128 KB (per core) vs 256 KB
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt vs 130 Watt

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 20% higher clock speed: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
6x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later

Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
L2 cache	12288 KB vs 512 KB (per core)

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: AMD Phenom X4 9850B
CPU 2: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

Name	AMD Phenom X4 9850B	Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
PassMark - Single thread mark	992
PassMark - CPU mark	1946
Geekbench 4 - Single Core		465
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core		1463
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score		4864

Compare specifications (specs)

	AMD Phenom X4 9850B	Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
Essentials
Architecture codename	Agena	Yorkfield
Launch date	August 2008	November 2007
Place in performance rating	2275	2276
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Processor Number		QX9650
Series		Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status		Discontinued
Performance
64 bit support
Die size	285 mm	214 mm2
L1 cache	128 KB (per core)	256 KB
L2 cache	512 KB (per core)	12288 KB
L3 cache	2048 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	65 nm	45 nm
Maximum frequency	2.5 GHz	3 GHz
Number of cores	4	4
Transistor count	450 million	820 million
Base frequency		3.00 GHz
Bus Speed		1333 MHz FSB
Maximum case temperature (TCase)		64 °C
Maximum core temperature		64.5°C
Unlocked
VID voltage range		0.8500V-1.3625V
Compatibility
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Sockets supported	AM2+	LGA775
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt	130 Watt
Low Halogen Options Available
Package Size		37.5mm x 37.5mm
Virtualization
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Memory
Supported memory types		DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
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