Core 2 Duo T5500 vs Phenom X4 9550

Core 2 Duo T5500 vs Phenom X4 9550 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo T5500

2 / 2

1,660

0.0%

1,667

+0.4%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 Phenom X4 9550 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 Phenom X4 9550: 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

✅Draws 2W instead of 95W, a 93W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,660 vs 1,667).

Phenom X4 9550

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌4650% higher power demand at 95W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom X4 9550 better than Core 2 Duo T5500?

Yes. Phenom X4 9550 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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, Phenom X4 9550 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% more average FPS across 37 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom X4 9550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom X4 9550 still makes the most sense overall. Phenom X4 9550 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 37 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Phenom X4 9550 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 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 T5500 vs Phenom X4 9550 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.

Phenom X4 9550

The Phenom X4 9550 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,667 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9550 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5500 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9550 — a 28% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9550. The Core 2 Duo T5500 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom X4 9550 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5500 scores 1,660 against the Phenom X4 9550's 1,667 — a 0.4% lead for the Phenom X4 9550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T5500 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9550.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5500	Phenom X4 9550
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.66 GHz	2.2 GHz+33%
Base Clock	1.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,660	1,667

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X4 9550 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.