Core 2 Duo T5550 vs Core i7-740QM

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 T5550 vs Core i7-740QM 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 T5550 vs Core i7-740QM: 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 T5550

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,826 vs 1,842).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Core i7-740QM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2150% higher power demand at 45W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-740QM better than Core 2 Duo T5550?

Yes. Core i7-740QM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% 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, Core i7-740QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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, Core i7-740QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core i7-740QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-740QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-740QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008), 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 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 T5550 vs Core i7-740QM Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T5550

The Core 2 Duo T5550 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 1.83 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,826 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i7-740QM

The Core i7-740QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,842 points. Launch price was $546.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-740QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-740QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5550 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-740QM — a 46.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-740QM (base: 1.83 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5550 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-740QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5550 scores 1,826 against the Core i7-740QM's 1,842 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-740QM. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5550 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-740QM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5550	Core i7-740QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2.93 GHz+60%
Base Clock	1.83 GHz+6%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,826	1,842

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5550 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-740QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.