Core 2 Duo SU7300
VS
Celeron 2970M

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Celeron 2970M

Intel

Core 2 Duo SU7300

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Celeron 2970M

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2014

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 SU7300 is positioned at rank 43 and the Celeron 2970M is on rank 591, so the Core 2 Duo SU7300 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 SU7300

#10
Ryzen 7 260
MSRP: $199|Avg: $70
95%
#31
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
196%
#32
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
193%
#33
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
177%
#34
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
177%
#35
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
175%
#37
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
169%
#38
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
162%
#39
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
162%
#40
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
157%
#43
Core 2 Duo SU7300
MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A
100%
#51
Celeron N2807
MSRP: $107|Avg: $60
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2970M

#184
Core Ultra 7 266V
MSRP: $520|Avg: $520
99%
#579
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
782%
#580
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
770%
#581
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
707%
#582
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
704%
#583
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
698%
#585
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
674%
#586
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
646%
#587
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
645%
#588
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
627%
#591
Celeron 2970M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Celeron 2970M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo SU7300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.3% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Duo SU7300Celeron 2970M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($289)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo SU7300Celeron 2970M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($289)
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 SU7300 and Celeron 2970M

Intel

Core 2 Duo SU7300

The Core 2 Duo SU7300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,496 points. Launch price was $249.

Intel

Celeron 2970M

The Celeron 2970M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,501 points. Launch price was $75.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU7300 and Celeron 2970M share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus 2.2 GHz on the Celeron 2970M — a 51.4% clock advantage for the Celeron 2970M (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2970M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 scores 1,496 against the Celeron 2970M's 1,501 — a 0.3% lead for the Celeron 2970M. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2970M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SU7300Celeron 2970M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.3 GHz
2.2 GHz+69%
Base Clock
1.3 GHz
2.2 GHz+69%
L3 Cache
3 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%
2 MB
L2 Cache
3 MB+500%
512 kB
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark
1,496
1,501
Geekbench 6 Single
188
Geekbench 6 Multi
338
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2970M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Celeron 2970M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) vs 16 (Celeron 2970M) — the Celeron 2970M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GS45,GM45 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) and HM87,HM86 (Celeron 2970M).

FeatureCore 2 Duo SU7300Celeron 2970M
Socket
BGA956
PGA946
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
32 GB+300%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron 2970M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Duo SU7300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SU7300 targets Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop, Celeron 2970M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2970M rivals Pentium 2020M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SU7300Celeron 2970M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Haswell)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop
Budget
Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Celeron 2970M