Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 vs AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 and AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark.

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650

CPU is newer: launch date 6 year(s) 10 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
3 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 1
Around 36% higher clock speed: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 90 nm
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
24x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 53% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 1463 vs 954

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	November 2007 vs January 2001
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Number of cores	4 vs 1
Maximum frequency	3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 90 nm
L1 cache	256 KB vs 128 KB
L2 cache	12288 KB vs 512 KB
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1463 vs 954

Reasons to consider the AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Around 94% lower typical power consumption: 67 Watt vs 130 Watt
2.2x better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1008 vs 465

Specifications (specs)
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	67 Watt vs 130 Watt
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1008 vs 465

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650
CPU 2: AMD Athlon 64 3500+

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

465

1008

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1463

954

Name	Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650	AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	465	1008
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1463	954
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	4864
PassMark - Single thread mark		620
PassMark - CPU mark		539

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650	AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Essentials
Architecture codename	Yorkfield	San Diego
Launch date	November 2007	January 2001
Place in performance rating	2297	2540
Processor Number	QX9650
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Launch price (MSRP)		$59
Price now		$108.95
Value for money (0-100)		1.46
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.00 GHz
Bus Speed	1333 MHz FSB
Die size	214 mm2	115 mm
L1 cache	256 KB	128 KB
L2 cache	12288 KB	512 KB
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	90 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	64 °C
Maximum core temperature	64.5°C
Maximum frequency	3 GHz	2.2 GHz
Number of cores	4	1
Transistor count	820 million	105 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range	0.8500V-1.3625V
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	LGA775	939
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	130 Watt	67 Watt
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)