A6-7400K vs Core 2 Duo T5500

A6-7400K vs Core 2 Duo T5500 Performance Spectrum

A6-7400K

2 / 2

1,678

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo T5500

2 / 2

1,660

0.0%

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.

A6-7400K vs Core 2 Duo T5500 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

A6-7400K vs Core 2 Duo T5500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

A6-7400K

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon R5 Graphics, while Core 2 Duo T5500 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core 2 Duo T5500.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $101 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Core 2 Duo T5500

2007

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,660 vs 1,678).
❌No integrated graphics, while A6-7400K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike A6-7400K.

Quick Answers

So, is A6-7400K better than Core 2 Duo T5500?

Yes. A6-7400K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, A6-7400K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, A6-7400K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

A6-7400K is the better buy right now. A6-7400K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $101 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

A6-7400K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

A6-7400K vs Core 2 Duo T5500 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

A6-7400K

The A6-7400K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1024 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,678 points. Launch price was $70.

Core 2 Duo T5500

The Core 2 Duo T5500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.66 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,660 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

Both the A6-7400K and Core 2 Duo T5500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the A6-7400K versus 1.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5500 — a 80.6% clock advantage for the A6-7400K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.66 GHz). The A6-7400K uses the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the A6-7400K scores 1,678 against the Core 2 Duo T5500's 1,660 — a 1.1% lead for the A6-7400K.

Feature	A6-7400K	Core 2 Duo T5500
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+135%	1.66 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+111%	1.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1024 kB	2 MB+100%
Process	28 nm-57%	65 nm
Architecture	Kaveri (2014−2015)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	1,678+1%	1,660

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Memory & Platform

The A6-7400K uses the FM2+ socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	A6-7400K	Core 2 Duo T5500
Socket	FM2+	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (A6-7400K) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T5500). The A6-7400K includes integrated graphics (Radeon R5 Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A6-7400K rivals Pentium G3420.