Core 2 Duo SL9600 vs Pentium G3258
Core 2 Duo SL9600
Pentium G3258
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Pentium G3258 is on rank 632, so the Pentium G3258 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9600
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3258
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) | ✅ More affordable ($72) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+341%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) | ✅ More affordable ($72) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SL9600 and Pentium G3258
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.
Pentium G3258
The Pentium G3258 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,063 points. Launch price was $77.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo SL9600 and Pentium G3258 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3258 — a 40.2% clock advantage for the Pentium G3258 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G3258 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9600 scores 2,054 against the Pentium G3258's 2,063 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G3258. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3258.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.13 GHz | 3.2 GHz+50% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 3.2 GHz+50% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+2300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,054 | 2,063 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3258 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Pentium G3258 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SL9600) vs 16 (Pentium G3258) — the Pentium G3258 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Pentium G3258 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo SL9600) vs VT-x (Pentium G3258). The Pentium G3258 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9600 targets Mobile, Pentium G3258 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x |
| Target Use | Mobile | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo SL9600 launched at $316 MSRP, while the Pentium G3258 debuted at $75.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9600 | Pentium G3258 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $316 | $75-76% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $72 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2014 |
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