Core 2 Duo T5500 vs Core i3-3110M

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 T5500 vs Core i3-3110M 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 T5500 vs Core i3-3110M: 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 T5500

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-3110M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i3-3110M

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 4000, while Core 2 Duo T5500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Duo T5500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,656 vs 1,660).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo T5500 better than Core i3-3110M?

Yes. Core 2 Duo T5500 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% 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 T5500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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 T5500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo T5500 still makes the most sense overall. Core 2 Duo T5500 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i3-3110M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T5500 vs Core i3-3110M Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T5500

The Core 2 Duo T5500 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 1.66 GHz, with boost up to 1.66 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,660 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-3110M

The Core i3-3110M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,656 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3110M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5500 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-3110M — a 36.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-3110M (base: 1.66 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5500 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-3110M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5500 scores 1,660 against the Core i3-3110M's 1,656 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5500. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T5500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3110M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5500	Core i3-3110M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	1.66 GHz	2.4 GHz+45%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	2.4 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,660	1,656
Geekbench 6 Single	—	424
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	846

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3110M uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5500	Core i3-3110M
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T5500) / VT-x (Core i3-3110M). The Core i3-3110M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo T5500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3110M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3110M rivals AMD A8-4500M.