Core 2 Duo P9500 vs Core i3-10100Y

Core 2 Duo P9500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2008

Core i3-10100Y

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P9500

2 / 2

2,901

0.0%

2,918

+0.6%

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 P9500 is positioned at rank 354 and the Core i3-10100Y is on rank 1040, so the Core 2 Duo P9500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9500

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

100%

#107

Core Ultra 5 228V

MSRP: $295|Avg: $295

99%

#111

Ryzen 5 PRO 5675U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $180

98%

#342

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

506%

#343

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

498%

#344

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

457%

#345

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

455%

#346

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

451%

#348

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

436%

#349

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

418%

#350

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

417%

#351

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

406%

#354

Core 2 Duo P9500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10100Y

#1027

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2514%

#1028

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2477%

#1029

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2274%

#1030

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2264%

#1031

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2243%

#1033

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2166%

#1034

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2077%

#1035

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2074%

#1036

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2018%

#1040

Core i3-10100Y

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1041

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

99%

#1042

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

99%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

97%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

97%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

96%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

95%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

95%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-10100Y (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i3-10100Y
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P9500 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i3-10100Y
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Duo P9500 Benchmark Check

Core i3-10100Y Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P9500 and Core i3-10100Y

Core 2 Duo P9500

The Core 2 Duo P9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 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: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,901 points. Launch price was $348.

Core i3-10100Y

The Core i3-10100Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,918 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P9500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-10100Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9500 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-10100Y — a 42.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-10100Y (base: 2.53 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-10100Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9500 scores 2,901 against the Core i3-10100Y's 2,918 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-10100Y. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9500 vs 4 MB on the Core i3-10100Y.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i3-10100Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.9 GHz+54%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+95%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,901	2,918
Geekbench 6 Single	340	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-10100Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i3-10100Y
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo P9500) / not specified (Core i3-10100Y). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo P9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P9500 rivals Athlon II X2 245e.