Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs Core 2 Duo T9300
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Core 2 Duo T9300
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is positioned at rank 1088 and the Core 2 Duo T9300 is on rank 176, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+33%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and Core 2 Duo T9300
Athlon 64 X2 5600+
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,665 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Duo T9300
The Core 2 Duo T9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ and Core 2 Duo T9300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — a 14.8% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5600+. The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ scores 1,665 against the Core 2 Duo T9300's 1,670 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz+16% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 512K | 6 MB+1100% |
| Process | 90 nm | 45 nm-50% |
| Architecture | Windsor (2006−2007) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,665 | 1,670 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 432 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — the Core 2 Duo T9300 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: AMD AM2 (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) and GM965,PM965,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9300).
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR3-1066+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Athlon 64 X2 5600+) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Athlon 64 X2 5600+ launched at $505 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo T9300 debuted at $316. At current prices ($15 vs $20), the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ delivers 111.0 pts/$ vs 83.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T9300 — making the Athlon 64 X2 5600+ the 28.3% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon 64 X2 5600+ | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $505 | $316-37% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-25% | $20 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.0+33% | 83.5 |
| Release Date | 2006 | 2008 |
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