Core 2 Duo P7550 vs Core i7-3667U

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 P7550 vs Core i7-3667U 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 P7550 vs Core i7-3667U: 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 P7550

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3667U across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,439 vs 2,451).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3667U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3667U

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Core 2 Duo P7550 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3667U better than Core 2 Duo P7550?

Yes. Core i7-3667U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3667U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.4% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3667U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core i7-3667U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-3667U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-3667U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 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 P7550 vs Core i7-3667U Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo P7550

The Core 2 Duo P7550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,439 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i7-3667U

The Core i7-3667U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,451 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P7550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-3667U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P7550 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-3667U — a 34.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-3667U (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P7550 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-3667U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P7550 scores 2,439 against the Core i7-3667U's 2,451 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-3667U. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P7550 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3667U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P7550	Core i7-3667U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3.2 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+13%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	256K (per core)+8433%
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,439	2,451

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P7550 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-3667U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P7550	Core i7-3667U
Socket	PGA478	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo P7550) / true (Core i7-3667U). The Core i7-3667U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo P7550 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3667U rivals AMD A10-4655M.