Core 2 Duo T5600 vs Phenom II X4 N930

Core 2 Duo T5600 vs Phenom II X4 N930 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo T5600

2 / 2

1,560

+0.1%

1,558

0.0%

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 T5600 vs Phenom II X4 N930 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 T5600 vs Phenom II X4 N930: 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 T5600

2006

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $241 MSRP, while Phenom II X4 N930 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom II X4 N930

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,558 vs 1,560).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo T5600 better than Phenom II X4 N930?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 N930 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5600 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo T5600 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo T5600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $241 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom II X4 N930 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X4 N930 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T5600 vs Phenom II X4 N930 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T5600

The Core 2 Duo T5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 July 2006 (19 years ago). 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: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,560 points. Launch price was $241.

Phenom II X4 N930

The Phenom II X4 N930 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,558 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 N930 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 N930 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5600 versus 2 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N930 — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 N930. The Core 2 Duo T5600 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Phenom II X4 N930 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5600 scores 1,560 against the Phenom II X4 N930's 1,558 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5600	Phenom II X4 N930
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2 GHz+9%
Base Clock	1.83 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,560	1,558

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X4 N930 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.