Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-50

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2006
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-50

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2006
Similar parts
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Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-50 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-50 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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-50: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo E6400

2006

Why buy it

  • Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Turion 64 X2 TL-50.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Turion 64 X2 TL-50 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,175 vs 1,184).
  • Launch MSRP is still $183 MSRP, while Turion 64 X2 TL-50 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Turion 64 X2 TL-50

2006

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • 687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6400.

Quick Answers

So, is Turion 64 X2 TL-50 better than Core 2 Duo E6400?
Yes. Turion 64 X2 TL-50 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% 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, Turion 64 X2 TL-50 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% 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, Turion 64 X2 TL-50 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Turion 64 X2 TL-50 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Turion 64 X2 TL-50 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo E6400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Turion 64 X2 TL-50 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-50 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6400

The Core 2 Duo E6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,175 points. Launch price was $249.

AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-50

The Turion 64 X2 TL-50 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 17 May 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Taylor (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,184 points. Launch price was $154.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E6400 and Turion 64 X2 TL-50 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 1.6 GHz on the Turion 64 X2 TL-50 — a 28.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6400. The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-50 uses Taylor (2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the Turion 64 X2 TL-50's 1,184 — a 0.8% lead for the Turion 64 X2 TL-50.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6400Turion 64 X2 TL-50
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.13 GHz+33%
1.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.13 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
2 MB+300%
512 kB
Process
65 nm-28%
90 nm
Architecture
Conroe (2006−2007)
Taylor (2006)
PassMark
1,175
1,184
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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-50 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6400Turion 64 X2 TL-50
Socket
LGA775
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
1066
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6400) / not specified (Turion 64 X2 TL-50). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6400Turion 64 X2 TL-50
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true