Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs Core i5-5257U

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 SP9600 vs Core i5-5257U 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 SP9600 vs Core i5-5257U: 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 SP9600

2009

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-5257U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,836 vs 2,837).
❌Launch MSRP is still $316 MSRP, while Core i5-5257U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5257U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-5257U

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 6100, while Core 2 Duo SP9600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 512W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5257U better than Core 2 Duo SP9600?

Yes. Core i5-5257U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% 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 i5-5257U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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 i5-5257U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5257U is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-5257U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $316 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo SP9600 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 5.0% in the shared gaming data.

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

Core i5-5257U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) 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 SP9600 vs Core i5-5257U Technical Specifications

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

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 i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-5257U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-5257U — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-5257U (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-5257U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9600 scores 2,836 against the Core i5-5257U's 2,837 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-5257U. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5257U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core i5-5257U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.1 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.7 GHz+7%
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	2,836	2,837
Geekbench 6 Single	—	950
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,900

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-5257U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9600	Core i5-5257U
Socket	BGA479	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	LPDDR3 1866 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo SP9600) / true (Core i5-5257U). The Core i5-5257U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 6100), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5257U targets Mobile.