Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Pentium 987

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 SU7300 vs Pentium 987 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 SU7300 vs Pentium 987: 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 SU7300

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 3W instead of 17W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.2 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $155 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Delivers 114.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.1 vs 5.2 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,487 vs 1,496).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌466.7% higher power demand at 17W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 987 better than Core 2 Duo SU7300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 987 is ahead with a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU7300 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo SU7300 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU7300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium 987 is the better buy right now. Pentium 987 comes in $155 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $289 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SU7300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 114.4% better value on MSRP (11.1 vs 5.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 987 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU7300 and Pentium 987 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Pentium 987 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 scores 1,496 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU7300. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium 987
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	1.5 GHz+15%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	1.5 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB	256K (per core)+8433%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,496	1,487
Geekbench 6 Single	188	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	338	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium 987
Socket	BGA956	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SU7300) / not specified (Pentium 987). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SU7300 targets Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium 987
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 was priced at $289, while the Pentium 987 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($289 vs $134), Pentium 987 was $155 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SU7300 delivers 5.2 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the Pentium 987 the 72.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium 987
MSRP	$289	$134-54%
Performance per Dollar	5.2	11.1+113%
Release Date	2009	2013

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