Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Pentium G860

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 G860 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

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Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Pentium G860: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 256W, a 253W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.2 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G860 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G860

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $203 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Delivers 233.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.3 vs 5.2 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Core 2 Duo SU7300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,485 vs 1,496).
❌8433.3% higher power demand at 256W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G860 better than Core 2 Duo SU7300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium G860 is ahead with a 1.0% 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 0.7% better PassMark.

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 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G860 is the better buy right now. Pentium G860 comes in $203 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $289 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SU7300 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 233.6% better value on MSRP (17.3 vs 5.2 PassMark/$), 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 G860 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Pentium G860 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 G860

The Pentium G860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU7300 and Pentium G860 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G860 — a 79.1% clock advantage for the Pentium G860 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G860 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 scores 1,496 against the Pentium G860's 1,485 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU7300. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G860.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium G860
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	3 GHz+131%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3 GHz+131%
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	3 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	1,485
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 G860 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus DDR3-1333 on the Pentium G860 — the Pentium G860 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium G860 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) vs 16 (Pentium G860) — the Pentium G860 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium G860
Socket	BGA956	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	32 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Pentium G860 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo SU7300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SU7300 targets Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop, Pentium G860 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium G860
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 was priced at $289, while the Pentium G860 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($289 vs $86), Pentium G860 was $203 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SU7300 delivers 5.2 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G860 — making the Pentium G860 the 107.7% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Pentium G860
MSRP	$289	$86-70%
Performance per Dollar	5.2	17.3+233%
Release Date	2009	2011

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