Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Atom x7213RE

Core 2 Duo SP9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Atom x7213RE

2 Cores2 Thrd9 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2024

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo SP9300

2 / 2

2,517

0.0%

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2,538

+0.8%

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 SP9300 is positioned at rank 535 and the Atom x7213RE is on rank 401, so the Atom x7213RE 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 SP9300

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

99%

#523

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

699%

#524

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

689%

#525

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

633%

#526

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

630%

#527

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

624%

#529

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

603%

#530

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

578%

#531

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

577%

#532

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

561%

#535

Core 2 Duo SP9300

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#549

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $49

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x7213RE

#120

Core i7-11850HE

MSRP: $400|Avg: $75

99%

#124

Core i5-1240P

MSRP: $309|Avg: $200

97%

#389

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

543%

#390

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

535%

#391

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

491%

#392

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

489%

#393

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

485%

#395

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

468%

#396

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

449%

#397

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

448%

#398

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

436%

#401

Atom x7213RE

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x7213RE (2024) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Atom x7213RE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Amston Lake (2024−2025) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Atom x7213RE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 SP9300 Benchmark Check

Atom x7213RE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9300 and Atom x7213RE

Core 2 Duo SP9300

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 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 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,517 points. Launch price was $284.

Atom x7213RE

The Atom x7213RE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 April 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Amston Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 2,538 points. Launch price was $42.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SP9300 and Atom x7213RE share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus 3.4 GHz on the Atom x7213RE — a 40.3% clock advantage for the Atom x7213RE (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x7213RE uses Amston Lake (2024−2025) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Atom x7213RE's 2,538 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom x7213RE. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs 6 MB (total) on the Atom x7213RE.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Atom x7213RE
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3.4 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+13%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Amston Lake (2024−2025)
PassMark	2,517	2,538

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom x7213RE uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus DDR5-4800 on the Atom x7213RE — the Atom x7213RE supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Atom x7213RE supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo SP9300) vs 1 (Atom x7213RE). PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SP9300) vs 9 (Atom x7213RE) — the Atom x7213RE offers 9 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9300) and Intel BGA1264 (Atom x7213RE).

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Atom x7213RE
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1264
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR5-4800+67%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	9

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9300) / not specified (Atom x7213RE). The Atom x7213RE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics (16EU)), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 requires a dedicated GPU.