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.

Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i5-5200U 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 SP9300 vs Core i5-5200U: 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 SP9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 6W instead of 512W, a 506W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i5-5200U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,503 vs 2,517).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo SP9300 better than Core i5-5200U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-5200U is ahead with a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SP9300 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo SP9300 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SP9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

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

Core 2 Duo SP9300 still makes the most sense overall. Core 2 Duo SP9300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-5200U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i5-5200U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,517	2,503

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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	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—