Atom x5-E3940 vs Core 2 Duo T9500

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.

Atom x5-E3940 vs Core 2 Duo T9500 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.

Atom x5-E3940 vs Core 2 Duo T9500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom x5-E3940

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (6 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 500, while Core 2 Duo T9500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌66.7% higher power demand at 10W vs 6W.

Core 2 Duo T9500

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 10W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,799 vs 1,816).
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom x5-E3940 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom x5-E3940 better than Core 2 Duo T9500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T9500 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-E3940 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom x5-E3940 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom x5-E3940 still makes the most sense overall. Atom x5-E3940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

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

Atom x5-E3940 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Atom x5-E3940 vs Core 2 Duo T9500 Technical Specifications

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

Atom x5-E3940

The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo T9500

The Core 2 Duo T9500 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,799 points. Launch price was $530.

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Processing Power

The Atom x5-E3940 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T9500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom x5-E3940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9500 — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9500 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Atom x5-E3940 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9500 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3940 scores 1,816 against the Core 2 Duo T9500's 1,799 — a 0.9% lead for the Atom x5-E3940. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom x5-E3940 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9500.

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core 2 Duo T9500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	2.6 GHz+44%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.6 GHz+63%
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB (total)	6 MB+200%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,816	1,799

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Memory & Platform

The Atom x5-E3940 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9500 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1866 on the Atom x5-E3940 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9500 — the Atom x5-E3940 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: Intel FCBGA1296 (Atom x5-E3940) and GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9500).

Feature	Atom x5-E3940	Core 2 Duo T9500
Socket	FCBGA1296	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1866+75%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	6	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E3940) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9500). The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core 2 Duo T9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9500 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.