Atom Z3735G vs Core 2 Duo SP9600

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 Z3735G vs Core 2 Duo SP9600 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 Z3735G vs Core 2 Duo SP9600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom Z3735G

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $299 less on MSRP ($17 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1794.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 170.1 vs 9.0 PassMark/$ ($17 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Core 2 Duo SP9600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2009

Why buy it

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Atom Z3735G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,836 vs 2,891).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.0 vs 170.1 PassMark/$ ($316 MSRP vs $17 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Atom Z3735G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom Z3735G better than Core 2 Duo SP9600?

Yes. Atom Z3735G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.9% 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, Atom Z3735G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, Atom Z3735G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom Z3735G is the better buy right now. Atom Z3735G comes in $299 cheaper on MSRP at $17 MSRP versus $316 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1794.9% better value on MSRP (170.1 vs 9.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Atom Z3735G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) 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 Z3735G vs Core 2 Duo SP9600 Technical Specifications

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

Atom Z3735G

The Atom Z3735G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.33 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: UTFCBGA592. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,891 points. Launch price was $17.

Core 2 Duo SP9600

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Atom Z3735G packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Atom Z3735G has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Atom Z3735G versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — a 32.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9600 (base: 1.33 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Atom Z3735G uses the Bay Trail-T (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom Z3735G scores 2,891 against the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2,836 — a 1.9% lead for the Atom Z3735G. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Atom Z3735G vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2.53 GHz+38%
Base Clock	1.33 GHz	2.53 GHz+90%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB+200%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-T (2013−2014)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,891+2%	2,836

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Memory & Platform

The Atom Z3735G uses the UTFCBGA592 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Socket	UTFCBGA592	BGA479
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-RS 1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	1 GB	—
RAM Channels	1	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

The Atom Z3735G includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 requires a dedicated GPU.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Atom Z3735G was priced at $17, while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 came in at $316. On launch pricing ($17 vs $316), Atom Z3735G was $299 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Atom Z3735G delivers 170.1 pts/$ vs 9.0 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — making the Atom Z3735G the 179.9% better value option.

Feature	Atom Z3735G	Core 2 Duo SP9600
MSRP	$17-95%	$316
Performance per Dollar	170.1+1790%	9.0
Release Date	2014	2009

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