Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i7-7Y75

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 i7-7Y75 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 i7-7Y75: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,517 vs 2,534).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 6W vs 4.5W.

Core i7-7Y75

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 6W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $393 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SP9300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7Y75 better than Core 2 Duo SP9300?

Yes. Core i7-7Y75 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7Y75 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7Y75 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-7Y75 is the better buy right now. Core i7-7Y75 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $393 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-7Y75 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i7-7Y75 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 i7-7Y75

The Core i7-7Y75 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,534 points. Launch price was $393.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-7Y75's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-7Y75 — a 45.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-7Y75 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-7Y75 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Core i7-7Y75's 2,534 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-7Y75. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs 4 MB on the Core i7-7Y75.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Core i7-7Y75
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3.6 GHz+59%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+74%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,517	2,534

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-7Y75 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Core i7-7Y75
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1515
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	—