Intel Core i7-965 vs AMD Phenom X4 9350e

Comparative analysis of Intel Core i7-965 and AMD Phenom X4 9350e processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core.

Intel Core i7-965

AMD Phenom X4 9350e

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core i7-965

CPU is newer: launch date 4 month(s) later
Processor is unlocked, an unlocked multiplier allows for easier overclocking
Around 73% higher clock speed: 3.46 GHz vs 2 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
4x more L3 cache, more data can be stored in the L3 cache for quick access later
Around 86% better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1475 vs 795
2.2x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 3424 vs 1590

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	November 2008 vs July 2008
Unlocked	Unlocked vs Locked
Maximum frequency	3.46 GHz vs 2 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
L3 cache	8192 KB (shared) vs 2048 KB (shared)
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	1475 vs 795
PassMark - CPU mark	3424 vs 1590

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom X4 9350e

2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
2x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2x lower typical power consumption: 65 Watt vs 130 Watt
2.1x better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 1201 vs 578
Around 47% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 3281 vs 2233

Specifications (specs)
L1 cache	128 KB (per core) vs 64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	512 KB (per core) vs 256 KB (per core)
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	65 Watt vs 130 Watt
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	1201 vs 578
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	3281 vs 2233

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core i7-965
CPU 2: AMD Phenom X4 9350e

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1475

795

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

3424

1590

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

578

1201

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

2233

3281

Name	Intel Core i7-965	AMD Phenom X4 9350e
PassMark - Single thread mark	1475	795
PassMark - CPU mark	3424	1590
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	578	1201
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	2233	3281

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core i7-965	AMD Phenom X4 9350e
Essentials
Architecture codename	Bloomfield	Agena
Launch date	November 2008	July 2008
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,509
Place in performance rating	2102	2126
Price now	$139.99
Processor Number	i7-965
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	12.32
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	3.20 GHz
Bus Speed	6.4 GT/s QPI
Die size	263 mm2	285 mm
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	128 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	512 KB (per core)
L3 cache	8192 KB (shared)	2048 KB (shared)
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	65 nm
Maximum core temperature	67.9°C
Maximum frequency	3.46 GHz	2 GHz
Number of cores	4	4
Number of QPI Links	1
Number of threads	8
Transistor count	731 million	450 million
Unlocked
VID voltage range	0.800V-1.375V
Memory
Max memory channels	3
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s
Maximum memory size	24 GB
Supported memory types	DDR3 800/1066
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	42.5mm x 45.0mm
Sockets supported	FCLGA1366	AM2+
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	130 Watt	65 Watt
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
Idle States
Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Physical Address Extensions (PAE)	36-bit
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)