Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i5-5200U

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 Core i5-5200U is on rank 446, so the Core i5-5200U 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 Core i5-5200U

#434

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

586%

#435

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

578%

#436

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

530%

#437

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

528%

#438

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

523%

#440

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

505%

#441

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

484%

#442

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

483%

#443

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

470%

#446

Core i5-5200U

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 Core i5-5200U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Core i5-5200U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 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	Core i5-5200U
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

Core i5-5200U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9300 and Core i5-5200U

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.

Core i5-5200U

The Core i5-5200U 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,503 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-5200U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5200U — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-5200U (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-5200U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Core i5-5200U's 2,503 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9300. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5200U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Core i5-5200U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.7 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+3%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,517	2,503

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-5200U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Core i5-5200U
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—