
Core 2 Duo SP9600 vs Turion 64 X2 TL-56

Core 2 Duo SP9600

Turion 64 X2 TL-56
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.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9600
Performance Per Dollar Turion 64 X2 TL-56
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9600 | Turion 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
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9600 | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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

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.

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.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9600 | Turion 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.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9600 | Turion 64 X2 TL-56 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA479 | S1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
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