Core 2 Duo SL9600 vs Core 2 Duo T7250

Core 2 Duo SL9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2009

Core 2 Duo T7250

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo SL9600

2 / 2

2,054

0.0%

Core 2 Duo E7600

Core i3-2370M

Pentium Dual Core T2370

2,073

+0.9%

About PassMark

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 SL9600 is positioned at rank 1177 and the Core 2 Duo T7250 is on rank 20, so the Core 2 Duo T7250 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 SL9600

#1165

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4514%

#1166

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4448%

#1167

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4083%

#1168

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4065%

#1169

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4027%

#1171

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3889%

#1172

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3729%

#1173

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3723%

#1174

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3623%

#1177

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

100%

#1178

Athlon PRO 3045B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $180

100%

#1179

Core 2 Duo T5600

MSRP: $241|Avg: N/A

100%

#1180

Pentium N3510

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1181

Core i7-7Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $285

99%

#1183

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

96%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

95%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

93%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

93%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

92%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7250

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

142%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

139%

#10

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

128%

#11

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

127%

#12

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

126%

#14

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

122%

#15

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

117%

#16

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

117%

#17

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

114%

#20

Core 2 Duo T7250

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

92%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

88%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

88%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

84%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

84%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

83%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

82%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

82%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

82%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

80%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo SL9600 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T7250 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.9% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SL9600	Core 2 Duo T7250
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo SL9600	Core 2 Duo T7250
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 SL9600 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T7250 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SL9600 and Core 2 Duo T7250

Core 2 Duo SL9600

The Core 2 Duo SL9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 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: 2,054 points. Launch price was $316.

Core 2 Duo T7250

The Core 2 Duo T7250 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. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,073 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SL9600 and Core 2 Duo T7250 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7250 — a 6.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SL9600 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7250 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9600 scores 2,054 against the Core 2 Duo T7250's 2,073 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7250. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7250.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9600	Core 2 Duo T7250
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz+6%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.13 GHz+6%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	2,054	2,073

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo T7250 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7250 — the Core 2 Duo SL9600 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GS45,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo SL9600) and GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7250).

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9600	Core 2 Duo T7250
Socket	BGA956	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066+50%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo SL9600) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7250). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9600 targets Mobile, Core 2 Duo T7250 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7250 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.