Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs FX-8800P

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 / 2

2,836

+0.1%

2,833

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 FX-8800P is on rank 903, 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 FX-8800P

#891

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1553%

#892

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1530%

#893

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1405%

#894

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1399%

#895

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1386%

#897

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1338%

#898

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1283%

#899

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1281%

#900

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1247%

#903

FX-8800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#905

Core i7-8809G

MSRP: $450|Avg: $450

99%

#911

Core i7-6820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#912

Athlon II Neo K325

MSRP: $60|Avg: $25

98%

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 FX-8800P (2015) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR3-2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9600	FX-8800P
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($45)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo SP9600	FX-8800P
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+601%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)	✅ More affordable ($45)

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

FX-8800P Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9600 and FX-8800P

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.

FX-8800P

The FX-8800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,833 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the FX-8800P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-8800P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 versus 3.4 GHz on the FX-8800P — a 29.3% clock advantage for the FX-8800P (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the FX-8800P uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9600 scores 2,836 against the FX-8800P's 2,833 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9600	FX-8800P
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.4 GHz+34%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+20%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2048 kB
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,836	2,833

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the FX-8800P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.