Core 2 Duo P9600 vs Core 2 Duo T9600

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 P9600 is positioned at rank 609 and the Core 2 Duo T9600 is on rank 841, so the Core 2 Duo P9600 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 P9600

#185

Ryzen 7 5825C

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

100%

#597

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

805%

#598

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

794%

#599

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

729%

#600

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

725%

#601

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

719%

#603

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

694%

#604

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

665%

#605

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

664%

#606

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

646%

#609

Core 2 Duo P9600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#622

Athlon II P320

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9600

#829

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1350%

#830

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1330%

#831

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1221%

#832

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1215%

#833

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1204%

#835

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1163%

#836

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1115%

#837

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1113%

#838

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1083%

#841

Core 2 Duo T9600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#852

Pentium P6300

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#854

E-350

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

97%

#856

Ryzen Embedded R1305G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T9600 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P9600 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9600	Core 2 Duo T9600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9600	Core 2 Duo T9600
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 P9600 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P9600 and Core 2 Duo T9600

Core 2 Duo P9600

The Core 2 Duo P9600 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 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,093 points. Launch price was $348.

Core 2 Duo T9600

The Core 2 Duo T9600 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,087 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo P9600 and Core 2 Duo T9600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9600 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9600 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9600 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9600 scores 1,093 against the Core 2 Duo T9600's 1,087 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo P9600. Both processors carry 6 MB L2 Cache of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9600	Core 2 Duo T9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.66 GHz	2.8 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	2.8 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,093	1,087