Core 2 Duo T5670 vs Core i5-2300

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 T5670 vs Core i5-2300 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 T5670 vs Core i5-2300: 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 T5670

2008

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-2300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,440 vs 3,475).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2300.

Core i5-2300

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.5% 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.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Core 2 Duo T5670 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core 2 Duo T5670.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5670 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4650% higher power demand at 95W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2300 better than Core 2 Duo T5670?

Yes. Core i5-2300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 i5-2300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.5% 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, Core i5-2300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 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 i5-2300 is the better buy right now. Core i5-2300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $177 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008), 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB), 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 T5670 vs Core i5-2300 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T5670

The Core 2 Duo T5670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom-2M (2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 3,440 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i5-2300

The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5670 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i5-2300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5670 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 — a 53.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2300 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5670 uses the Merom-2M (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-2300 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5670 scores 3,440 against the Core i5-2300's 3,475 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-2300. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5670 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5670	Core i5-2300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3.1 GHz+72%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.8 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	6144 kB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Merom-2M (2008)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,440	3,475+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	516
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,515

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T5670) / Yes (Core i5-2300). The Core i5-2300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Core 2 Duo T5670 requires a dedicated GPU.