Core 2 Duo P9700 vs Pentium A1018

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 P9700 is positioned at rank 564 and the Pentium A1018 is on rank 1105, so the Core 2 Duo P9700 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 P9700

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

99%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

98%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

98%

#552

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

747%

#553

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

736%

#554

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

676%

#555

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

673%

#556

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

667%

#558

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

644%

#559

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

617%

#560

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

616%

#561

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

600%

#564

Core 2 Duo P9700

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#572

A10-9600P

MSRP: $128|Avg: $50

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1018

#1093

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3260%

#1094

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3212%

#1095

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2949%

#1096

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2936%

#1097

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2909%

#1099

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2809%

#1100

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2693%

#1101

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2689%

#1102

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2617%

#1105

Pentium A1018

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

100%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

98%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

97%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

96%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

96%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

96%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

95%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

95%

#1120

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo P9700 leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium A1018 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9700	Pentium A1018
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo P9700	Pentium A1018
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)

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 P9700 Benchmark Check

Pentium A1018 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P9700 and Pentium A1018

Core 2 Duo P9700

The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 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 (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.

Pentium A1018

The Pentium A1018 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 1 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,188 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo P9700 and Pentium A1018 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Core 2 Duo P9700 is built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P9700 scores 1,178 against the Pentium A1018's 1,188 — a 0.8% lead for the Pentium A1018. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700 vs 1 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium A1018.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P9700	Pentium A1018
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+33%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+500%	1 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	—
PassMark	1,178	1,188

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P9700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium A1018 uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.