Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 / 2

2,805

0.0%

2,835

+1.1%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56 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 P8700 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56: 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 P8700

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Turion 64 X2 TL-56 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,805 vs 2,835).
❌Launch MSRP is still $241 MSRP, while Turion 64 X2 TL-56 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 3W vs 1W.

Turion 64 X2 TL-56

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 1W instead of 3W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Turion 64 X2 TL-56 better than Core 2 Duo P8700?

Yes. Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Turion 64 X2 TL-56 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $241 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo P8700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

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

Core 2 Duo P8700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo P8700

The Core 2 Duo P8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.

Turion 64 X2 TL-56

The Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Trinidad / Tyler (2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90/65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,835 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo P8700 and Turion 64 X2 TL-56 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 versus 1.8 GHz on the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 — a 33.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P8700. The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses Trinidad / Tyler (2007) (90/65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8700 scores 2,805 against the Turion 64 X2 TL-56's 2,835 — a 1.1% lead for the Turion 64 X2 TL-56.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+41%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	3 MB+200%	1 MB
Process	45 nm-50%	90/65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Trinidad / Tyler (2007)
PassMark	2,805	2,835+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Socket	PGA478	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo P8700) / not specified (Turion 64 X2 TL-56). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.