CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6550
Pentium D 820
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 Core 2 Duo E6550 is positioned at rank 1022 and the Pentium D 820 is on rank 1065, so the Core 2 Duo E6550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6550
Performance Per Dollar Pentium D 820
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1%) |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Core 2 Duo E6550 and Pentium D 820
Core 2 Duo E6550
The Core 2 Duo E6550 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 2.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,395 points. Launch price was $249.
Pentium D 820
The Pentium D 820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,412 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E6550 and Pentium D 820 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6550 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium D 820 — a 18.3% clock advantage for the Pentium D 820 (base: 2.33 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6550 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium D 820 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6550 scores 1,395 against the Pentium D 820's 1,412 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium D 820. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.33 GHz | 2.8 GHz+20% |
| Base Clock | 2.33 GHz | 2.8 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB+100% | 2 MB |
| Process | 65 nm-28% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | NetBurst (2000−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,395 | 1,412+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 166 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E6550 versus DDR2-667 on the Pentium D 820 — the Core 2 Duo E6550 supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6550 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6550) vs 0 (Pentium D 820) — the Core 2 Duo E6550 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6550) and Intel 945,Intel 955 (Pentium D 820).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+66550% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 4 GB+26214300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6550) vs No (Pentium D 820). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6550 rivals Athlon 64 X2 6000+.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | No |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E6550 launched at $163 MSRP, while the Pentium D 820 debuted at $241. At current prices ($20 vs $20), the Pentium D 820 is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6550 delivers 69.8 pts/$ vs 70.6 pts/$ for the Pentium D 820 — making the Pentium D 820 the 1.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6550 | Pentium D 820 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $163-32% | $241 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $20 |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.8 | 70.6+1% |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2005 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core 2 Duo E6550 and Pentium D 820
