Core 2 Duo T5600 vs Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

Core 2 Duo T5600 vs Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo T5600

2 / 2

1,560

0.0%

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

2 / 2

1,585

+1.6%

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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 Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 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 Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85: 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,560 vs 1,585).
❌Launch MSRP is still $241 MSRP, while Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 better than Core 2 Duo T5600?

Yes. Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.6% 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, Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% 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, Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $241 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo T5600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2006 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA478.

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

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 T5600 vs Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 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.

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

The Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Puma (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,585 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T5600 and Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5600 versus 2.3 GHz on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85. The Core 2 Duo T5600 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 uses Puma (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5600 scores 1,560 against the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85's 1,585 — a 1.6% lead for the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5600	Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.83 GHz	2.3 GHz+26%
Base Clock	1.83 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Puma (2008−2009)
PassMark	1,560	1,585+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.