Core 2 Duo T5550 vs Core i7-820QM

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 i7-820QM 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 i7-820QM: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 45W, a 43W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-820QM

2009

Why buy it

✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,819 vs 1,826).
❌Launch MSRP is still $546 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 i7-820QM better than Core 2 Duo T5550?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-820QM is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5550 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-820QM also has the bigger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5550 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i7-820QM is the better buy right now. Core i7-820QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $546 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T5550 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-820QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and 300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T5550 vs Core i7-820QM 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 i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 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 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5550 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5550 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 50.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.83 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5550 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5550 scores 1,826 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5550. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5550 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5550	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	3.06 GHz+67%
Base Clock	1.83 GHz+6%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	8 MB (total)+300%
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	1,819

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5550 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.