Core 2 Duo P9500
VS
Core i5-3380M

Core 2 Duo P9500 vs Core i5-3380M

Intel

Core 2 Duo P9500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core i5-3380M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-3380M is on rank 127, so the Core i5-3380M 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 i5-3380M

#115
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
300%
#116
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
295%
#117
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
271%
#118
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
270%
#119
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
267%
#121
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
258%
#122
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
248%
#123
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
247%
#124
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
240%
#127
Core i5-3380M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#137
N200
MSRP: $193|Avg: N/A
97%
#138
Core 2 Duo SP9600
MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A
97%
#140
Core 2 Duo P8700
MSRP: $241|Avg: $85
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3380M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo P9500 in both compute-intensive tasks (1.3% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Duo P9500Core i5-3380M
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)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo P9500Core i5-3380M
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P9500 and Core i5-3380M

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-3380M

The Core i5-3380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,938 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P9500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-3380M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9500 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3380M — a 34.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3380M (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3380M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9500 scores 2,901 against the Core i5-3380M's 2,938 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-3380M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 340 vs 700, a 69.2% lead for the Core i5-3380M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 650 vs 1,600 (84.4% advantage for the Core i5-3380M). L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3380M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo P9500Core i5-3380M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.53 GHz
3.6 GHz+42%
Base Clock
2.53 GHz
2.9 GHz+15%
L3 Cache
6 MB L2 Cache+100%
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
6 MB+2300%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,901
2,938+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
340
700+106%
Geekbench 6 Multi
650
1,600+146%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-3380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i5-3380M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: PM45,GM45 (Core 2 Duo P9500) and HM77,QM77 (Core i5-3380M).

FeatureCore 2 Duo P9500Core i5-3380M
Socket
PGA478
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
32 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo P9500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3380M). The Core i5-3380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo P9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo P9500 targets Budget, Core i5-3380M targets Business Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P9500 rivals Athlon II X2 245e; Core i5-3380M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo P9500Core i5-3380M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Budget
Business Laptop