Core 2 Duo E6550 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100

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 E6550 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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 E6550 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100: 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 E6550

2007

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,395 vs 1,409).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 10.5 PassMark/$ ($163 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2009

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $29 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
✅Delivers 22.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.5 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6550.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core SU4100 better than Core 2 Duo E6550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6550 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core SU4100 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core SU4100 comes in $29 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $163 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E6550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 22.9% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Dual Core SU4100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007) and 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 E6550 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 Technical Specifications

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

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 Dual Core SU4100

The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,409 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E6550 and Pentium Dual Core SU4100 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6550 versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 — a 56.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6550. The Core 2 Duo E6550 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6550 scores 1,395 against the Pentium Dual Core SU4100's 1,409 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6550	Pentium Dual Core SU4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.33 GHz+79%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.33 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	4 MB+100%	2 MB
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,395	1,409+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6550 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6550	Pentium Dual Core SU4100
Socket	LGA775	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6550) / not specified (Pentium Dual Core SU4100). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6550 rivals Athlon 64 X2 6000+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6550	Pentium Dual Core SU4100
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E6550 was priced at $163, while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($163 vs $134), Pentium Dual Core SU4100 was $29 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6550 delivers 8.6 pts/$ vs 10.5 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 — making the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 the 20.5% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6550	Pentium Dual Core SU4100
MSRP	$163	$134-18%
Performance per Dollar	8.6	10.5+22%
Release Date	2007	2009

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