Core 2 Duo E7600 vs Pentium N3520

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 E7600 vs Pentium N3520 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 E7600 vs Pentium N3520: 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 E7600

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium N3520.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌3150% higher power demand at 65W vs 2W.

Pentium N3520

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Delivers 32.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 65W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,144 vs 1,150).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E7600.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3520 better than Core 2 Duo E7600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N3520 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E7600 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E7600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium N3520 is the better buy right now. Pentium N3520 comes in $33 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.3% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E7600 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.5% better PassMark. It is also 32.3% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), 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 N3520 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E7600 vs Pentium N3520 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E7600

The Core 2 Duo E7600 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 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 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: 1,150 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium N3520

The Pentium N3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.17 GHz, with boost up to 2.42 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E7600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3520 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7600 versus 2.42 GHz on the Pentium N3520 — a 188.8% clock advantage for the Pentium N3520 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.17 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E7600 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N3520 uses Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E7600 scores 1,150 against the Pentium N3520's 1,144 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E7600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E7600 vs 2 MB on the Pentium N3520.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7600	Pentium N3520
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	2.42 GHz+3357%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+41%	2.17 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)
PassMark	1,150	1,144
Geekbench 6 Single	422	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	690	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E7600 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3520 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7600	Pentium N3520
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E7600) / not specified (Pentium N3520). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E7600 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E7600 rivals Athlon II X2 250.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7600	Pentium N3520
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E7600 was priced at $133, while the Pentium N3520 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($133 vs $100), Pentium N3520 was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E7600 delivers 8.6 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N3520 — making the Pentium N3520 the 27.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7600	Pentium N3520
MSRP	$133	$100-25%
Performance per Dollar	8.6	11.4+33%
Release Date	2009	2013

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