Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Duo T5900

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 SL9400 vs Core 2 Duo T5900 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 SL9400 vs Core 2 Duo T5900: 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 SL9400

2008

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5900 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.

Core 2 Duo T5900

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,123 vs 2,144).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo SL9400 better than Core 2 Duo T5900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T5900 is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo SL9400 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo SL9400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $284 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T5900 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2 Duo SL9400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Duo T5900 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SL9400

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.

Core 2 Duo T5900

The Core 2 Duo T5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,123 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SL9400 and Core 2 Duo T5900 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5900 — a 16.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T5900. The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Core 2 Duo T5900's 2,123 — a 1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core 2 Duo T5900
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.2 GHz+18%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	2,144	2,123

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.