Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium 2030M

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 SU9300 vs Pentium 2030M 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 SU9300 vs Pentium 2030M: 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 SU9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,392 vs 1,396).

Pentium 2030M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 2030M better than Core 2 Duo SU9300?

Yes. Pentium 2030M is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 2030M is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 2030M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 2030M is the better buy right now. Pentium 2030M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2030M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium 2030M Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SU9300

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 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 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,392 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium 2030M

The Pentium 2030M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,396 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU9300 and Pentium 2030M share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium 2030M — a 70.3% clock advantage for the Pentium 2030M (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 2030M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 scores 1,392 against the Pentium 2030M's 1,396 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium 2030M. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2030M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9300	Pentium 2030M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+108%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+108%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB	256K (per core)+8433%
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,392	1,396

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 2030M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.