Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core i3-5010U

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 i3-5010U 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 i3-5010U: 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

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,157).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Core i3-5010U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-5010U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-5010U

2015

Why buy it

✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 5500, while Core 2 Duo SL9400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-5010U better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

Yes. Core i3-5010U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-5010U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-5010U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-5010U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i3-5010U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo SL9400 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 2.5% in the shared gaming data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-5010U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 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 i3-5010U 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 i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5010U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-5010U (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5010U. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core i3-5010U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.1 GHz+13%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.1 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,144	2,157
Geekbench 6 Single	—	737

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-5010U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5010U — the Core i3-5010U supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-5010U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo SL9400) vs 12 (Core i3-5010U) — the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core i3-5010U
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile, Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.