Core 2 Duo T5200 vs Pentium SU4100

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 T5200 vs Pentium SU4100 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 T5200 vs Pentium SU4100: 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 T5200

2006

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 10W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium SU4100

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Duo T5200 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (685 vs 705).
❌Launch MSRP is still $289 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5200 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌400% higher power demand at 10W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo T5200 better than Pentium SU4100?

Yes. Core 2 Duo T5200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo T5200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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, Core 2 Duo T5200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo T5200 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core 2 Duo T5200 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $289 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium SU4100 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.1% in the shared gaming data.

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

Pentium SU4100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T5200 vs Pentium SU4100 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T5200

The Core 2 Duo T5200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.66 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 705 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium SU4100

The Pentium SU4100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. 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: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 685 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T5200 and Pentium SU4100 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5200 versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium SU4100 — a 24.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T5200 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5200 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium SU4100 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5200 scores 705 against the Pentium SU4100's 685 — a 2.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5200	Pentium SU4100
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.66 GHz+28%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz+23%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	705+3%	685

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5200 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium SU4100 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.