Core i7-3920XM vs Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Intel

Core i7-3920XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

6 Cores6 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2010

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i7-3920XM

2012

Why buy it

  • +35% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
  • Draws 55W instead of 125W, a 70W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Phenom II X6 1100T BE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (5,713 vs 5,745).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

Phenom II X6 1100T BE

2010

Why buy it

  • +0.6% higher PassMark.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-3920XM.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (508 vs 686).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $265 MSRP, while Core i7-3920XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 127.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 55W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3920XM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3920XM better than Phenom II X6 1100T BE?
It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-3920XM is ahead with 35% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X6 1100T BE pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core i7-3920XM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X6 1100T BE is the better fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-3920XM is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i7-3920XM is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $265 MSRP, and it gives you 35% stronger Geekbench single-core performance. Phenom II X6 1100T BE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3920XM is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

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.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS140 FPS
high116 FPS113 FPS
ultra93 FPS93 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS137 FPS
medium122 FPS116 FPS
high96 FPS92 FPS
ultra76 FPS75 FPS
4K
low69 FPS63 FPS
medium61 FPS56 FPS
high48 FPS44 FPS
ultra38 FPS35 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra137 FPS139 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra122 FPS125 FPS
4K
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium133 FPS137 FPS
high110 FPS122 FPS
ultra83 FPS93 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS144 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS144 FPS
4K
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS134 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
1080p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS144 FPS
1440p
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS144 FPS
4K
low143 FPS144 FPS
medium143 FPS144 FPS
high143 FPS144 FPS
ultra143 FPS144 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3920XM and Phenom II X6 1100T BE

Intel

Core i7-3920XM

The Core i7-3920XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $1,096.

AMD

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.

Processing Power

The Core i7-3920XM 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 i7-3920XM versus 3.7 GHz on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3920XM (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-3920XM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE uses Thuban (2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3920XM scores 5,713 against the Phenom II X6 1100T BE's 5,745 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom II X6 1100T BE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 686 vs 508, a 29.8% lead for the Core i7-3920XM that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3920XM vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X6 1100T BE.

FeatureCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+3%
3.7 GHz
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.3 GHz+14%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+33%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Thuban (2010)
PassMark
5,713
5,745
Geekbench 6 Single
686+35%
508
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3920XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), 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. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM77,QM77 (Core i7-3920XM) and AMD 870,880G,890FX,970,990FX (Phenom II X6 1100T BE).

FeatureCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
Socket
PGA988
AM3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR3-1333 / DDR2-1066
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3920XM) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X6 1100T BE). The Core i7-3920XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Phenom II X6 1100T BE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3920XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop, Phenom II X6 1100T BE targets Enthusiast Legacy. Direct competitor: Core i7-3920XM rivals A10-5750M.

FeatureCore i7-3920XMPhenom II X6 1100T BE
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Extreme Performance Laptop
Enthusiast Legacy