Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium Silver A1030

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 Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030: 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

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 15W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Pentium Silver A1030

2020

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,380 vs 1,392).
❌400% higher power demand at 15W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo SU9300 better than Pentium Silver A1030?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Silver A1030 is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9300 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Pentium Silver A1030 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo SU9300 still makes the most sense overall. Core 2 Duo SU9300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

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

Pentium Silver A1030 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2008) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium Silver A1030 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 Silver A1030

The Pentium Silver A1030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: upto-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 1,380 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU9300 and Pentium Silver A1030 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver A1030 — a 76.9% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver A1030 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9300 is built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 scores 1,392 against the Pentium Silver A1030's 1,380 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU9300. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs 4 MB on the Pentium Silver A1030.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU9300	Pentium Silver A1030
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.2 GHz	2.7 GHz+125%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4 MB+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB	—
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	—
PassMark	1,392	1,380

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium Silver A1030 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.