Core 2 Duo SP9600
VS
Turion 64 X2 TL-56

Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56

Intel

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009
VS
AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-56

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is on rank 139, 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 Turion 64 X2 TL-56

#36
Core i5-11500B
MSRP: $185|Avg: $185
98%
#127
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
310%
#128
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
306%
#129
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
281%
#130
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
280%
#131
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
277%
#133
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
268%
#134
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
257%
#135
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
256%
#136
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
249%
#139
Turion 64 X2 TL-56
MSRP: N/A|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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo SP9600 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 in both compute-intensive tasks (0% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Duo SP9600Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($316)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Trinidad / Tyler (2007) / 90/65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo SP9600Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($316)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Turion 64 X2 TL-56

Intel

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.

AMD

Turion 64 X2 TL-56

The Turion 64 X2 TL-56 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Trinidad / Tyler (2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.8 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90/65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,835 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Turion 64 X2 TL-56 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 versus 1.8 GHz on the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 — a 33.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9600. The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses Trinidad / Tyler (2007) (90/65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9600 scores 2,836 against the Turion 64 X2 TL-56's 2,835 — a 0% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SP9600Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.53 GHz+41%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.53 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
6 MB+500%
1 MB
Process
45 nm-50%
90/65 nm
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Trinidad / Tyler (2007)
PassMark
2,836
2,835
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Turion 64 X2 TL-56 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SP9600Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Socket
BGA479
S1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%