CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E7200
Pentium D 960
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 E7200 is positioned at rank 1040 and the Pentium D 960 is on rank 1104, so the Core 2 Duo E7200 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 E7200
Performance Per Dollar Pentium D 960
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($133) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+789%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($133) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 E7200 and Pentium D 960
Core 2 Duo E7200
The Core 2 Duo E7200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 3 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $249.
Pentium D 960
The Pentium D 960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $523.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E7200 and Pentium D 960 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7200 versus 3.6 GHz on the Pentium D 960 — a 34.9% clock advantage for the Pentium D 960 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E7200 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium D 960 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E7200 scores 1,002 against the Pentium D 960's 1,005 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium D 960. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.53 GHz | 3.6 GHz+42% |
| Base Clock | 2.53 GHz | 3.6 GHz+42% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | NetBurst (2000−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,002 | 1,005 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 368 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 666 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E7200) / not specified (Pentium D 960). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E7200 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E7200 rivals Athlon II X2 245.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E7200 launched at $133 MSRP, while the Pentium D 960 debuted at $523. At current prices ($133 vs $15), the Pentium D 960 is $118 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E7200 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 67.0 pts/$ for the Pentium D 960 — making the Pentium D 960 the 159.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E7200 | Pentium D 960 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $133-75% | $523 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $133 | $15-89% |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.5 | 67.0+793% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2006 |
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