Core i7-3820 vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3820

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

Popular choices:

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Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2010

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3820

4 / 8

5,787

+0.7%

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 / 6

5,745

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-3820

2012

Why buy it

✅+22.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌
7.9% HIGHER MSRP
$286 MSRPvs$265 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $21 less on MSRP ($265 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3820.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (508 vs 624).
❌Lower PassMark (5,745 vs 5,787).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Core i7-3820

2012

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

✅+22.8% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Why buy it

✅Costs $21 less on MSRP ($265 MSRP vs $286 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3820.

Trade-offs

❌
7.9% HIGHER MSRP
$286 MSRPvs$265 MSRP
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (508 vs 624).
❌Lower PassMark (5,745 vs 5,787).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3820 better than Phenom II X6 1100T BE?

Yes. Core i7-3820 is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 1.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3820 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3820 is the better fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-3820 is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i7-3820 is 7.9% more expensive on MSRP at $286 MSRP versus $265 MSRP, and it gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X6 1100T BE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 7.1% better value on paper (21.7 vs 20.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-3820 is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010), 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-3820 Benchmark Check

Phenom II X6 1100T BE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	140 FPS	140 FPS
high	111 FPS	113 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	93 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	137 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	92 FPS	92 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	75 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	63 FPS
medium	57 FPS	56 FPS
high	44 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i7-3820 Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	129 FPS	139 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	138 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	115 FPS	125 FPS
4K
low	136 FPS	144 FPS
medium	120 FPS	137 FPS
high	100 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	74 FPS	93 FPS

Open Core i7-3820 Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	144 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	144 FPS
4K
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	134 FPS

Open Core i7-3820 Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	144 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	144 FPS
4K
low	145 FPS	144 FPS
medium	145 FPS	144 FPS
high	145 FPS	144 FPS
ultra	145 FPS	144 FPS

Open Core i7-3820 Open Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3820 and Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Core i7-3820

The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

The Phenom II X6 1100T BE is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Thuban (2010) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,745 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3820 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Phenom II X6 1100T BE has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 5,745 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-3820. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 624 vs 508, a 20.5% lead for the Core i7-3820 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+3%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+9%	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	10240 kB (total)+67%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Thuban (2010)
PassMark	5,787	5,745
Geekbench 6 Single	624+23%	508

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i7-3820 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3820) vs 2 (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-3820) vs 16 (Phenom II X6 1100T BE) — the Core i7-3820 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3820) and AMD 870,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1100T BE).

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Socket	LGA2011	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop, Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i7-3820	Phenom II X6 1100T BE
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	HEDT Desktop	Enthusiast Legacy

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-3820 launched at $286 MSRP, while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE debuted at $265. On MSRP ($286 vs $265), the Phenom II X6 1100T BE is $21 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3820 delivers 20.2 pts/$ vs 21.7 pts/$ for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — making the Phenom II X6 1100T BE the 6.9% better value option.