Core 2 Duo P9500 vs Core i7-920

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 P9500 vs Core i7-920 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 P9500 vs Core i7-920: 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 P9500

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-920 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌500% higher power demand at 6W vs 1W.

Core i7-920

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 6W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,866 vs 2,901).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo P9500 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-920 better than Core 2 Duo P9500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-920 is ahead with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P9500 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-920 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P9500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i7-920 is the better buy right now. Core i7-920 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $284 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo P9500 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-920 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core 2 Duo P9500 vs Core i7-920 Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-920

The Core i7-920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,866 points. Launch price was $340.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P9500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-920 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-920 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9500 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-920 — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-920 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-920 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9500 scores 2,901 against the Core i7-920's 2,866 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo P9500. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9500 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-920.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i7-920
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	2.93 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,901+1%	2,866
Geekbench 6 Single	340	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	650	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P9500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-920 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9500	Core i7-920
Socket	PGA478	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo P9500) / not specified (Core i7-920). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo P9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P9500 rivals Athlon II X2 245e.