Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs Core 2 Duo P8700

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 / 2

2,836

+1.1%

2,805

0.0%

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 SP9600 is positioned at rank 138 and the Core 2 Duo P8700 is on rank 140, so the Core 2 Duo SP9600 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 SP9600

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

98%

#126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

310%

#127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

306%

#128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

281%

#129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

279%

#130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

277%

#132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

267%

#133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

256%

#134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

256%

#135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

249%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

100%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

99%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8700

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

99%

#128

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

314%

#129

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

309%

#130

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

284%

#131

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

283%

#132

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

280%

#134

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

270%

#135

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

259%

#136

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

259%

#137

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

252%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

100%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Analysis: Based on specifications, the Core 2 Duo SP9600 shows stronger theoretical performance metrics.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core 2 Duo P8700
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($85)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo P8700 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $85 (vs $316), it costs 73% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 268% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+268%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($85)

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 SP9600 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Duo P8700

Core 2 Duo SP9600

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.

Core 2 Duo P8700

The Core 2 Duo P8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Duo P8700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). Both are built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9600 scores 2,836 against the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2,805 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9600. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB+100%	3 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,836+1%	2,805

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core 2 Duo P8700
Socket	BGA479	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo SP9600) / true (Core 2 Duo P8700). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.