Core 2 Duo E6540 vs Pentium 987

Core 2 Duo E6540

2 Cores65 WW2007

Pentium 987

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E6540

2 /

1,495

+0.5%

Pentium U5600

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

Core 2 Duo E8400

Pentium Dual-Core E2220

1,487

0.0%

Celeron J1800

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

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 Core 2 Duo E6540 is positioned at rank 1009 and the Pentium 987 is on rank 1052, so the Core 2 Duo E6540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6540

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33993%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

32120%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

23322%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7026%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5565%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4868%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2788%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2752%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2506%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2506%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2478%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2411%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2377%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2367%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2346%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

100%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

100%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

99%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

98%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

98%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

97%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

96%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

94%

#1020

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

94%

#1021

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

94%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

92%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

92%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium 987

#1040

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2643%

#1041

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2605%

#1042

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2391%

#1043

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2380%

#1044

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2358%

#1046

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2277%

#1047

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2184%

#1048

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2180%

#1049

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2122%

#1052

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

100%

#1053

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

100%

#1054

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

99%

#1056

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

98%

#1057

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

97%

#1058

Core i7-4900MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $40

97%

#1059

Pentium Dual Core T2370

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

96%

#1060

Celeron P4505

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

96%

#1061

Pentium T4200

MSRP: $99|Avg: $10

96%

#1062

Core i7-2720QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

96%

#1063

Pentium 2020M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

95%

#1064

Celeron P4500

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#1065

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

95%

#1066

Processor N50

MSRP: $128|Avg: $120

94%

#1067

Athlon II N350

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium 987 (2013) utilizes 32 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6540	Pentium 987
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E6540 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6540	Pentium 987
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+34%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Duo E6540 Benchmark Check

Pentium 987 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6540 and Pentium 987

Core 2 Duo E6540

The Core 2 Duo E6540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It has 2 cores. Base frequency: 2.33 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB L2 Cache. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,495 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E6540 and Pentium 987 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Pentium 987 is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6540 scores 1,495 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6540. L3 cache: 4 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo E6540 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6540	Pentium 987
Cores / Threads	2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	—	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.33 GHz+55%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB L2 Cache+100%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,495	1,487

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6540 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6540	Pentium 987
Socket	LGA775	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6540) / not specified (Pentium 987). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6540 rivals Athlon 64 X2 6000+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6540	Pentium 987
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo E6540 launched at $163 MSRP, while the Pentium 987 debuted at $134. At current prices ($15 vs $20), the Core 2 Duo E6540 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6540 delivers 99.7 pts/$ vs 74.3 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the Core 2 Duo E6540 the 29.1% better value option.