Core 2 Duo P7550 vs Core m3-7Y30

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 m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30: 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

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 5W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core m3-7Y30 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core m3-7Y30

2016

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (10 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 615, while Core 2 Duo P7550 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,418 vs 2,439).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo P7550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌50% higher power demand at 4.5W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core m3-7Y30 better than Core 2 Duo P7550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core m3-7Y30 is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7550 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core m3-7Y30 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P7550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core m3-7Y30 is the better buy right now. Core m3-7Y30 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo P7550 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core m3-7Y30 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo P7550 vs Core m3-7Y30 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 m3-7Y30

The Core m3-7Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,418 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P7550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core m3-7Y30's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P7550 versus 2.6 GHz on the Core m3-7Y30 — a 14% clock advantage for the Core m3-7Y30 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P7550 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P7550 scores 2,439 against the Core m3-7Y30's 2,418 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo P7550. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P7550 vs 4 MB on the Core m3-7Y30.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P7550	Core m3-7Y30
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.6 GHz+15%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+126%	1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,439	2,418
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	645
Geekbench 6 Single	—	768
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,481

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P7550 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core m3-7Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P7550	Core m3-7Y30
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3-1866 / DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	10

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo P7550) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core m3-7Y30). The Core m3-7Y30 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 615), while the Core 2 Duo P7550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core m3-7Y30 targets Ultra-portable.