Core 2 Duo T5670 vs Core i7-960

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 i7-960 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 i7-960: 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

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 2W instead of 130W, a 128W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-960 across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-960

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.0% higher average FPS across 35 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+300% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,400 vs 3,440).
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T5670 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6400% higher power demand at 130W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-960 better than Core 2 Duo T5670?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-960 is ahead with a 16.0% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T5670 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-960 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 T5670 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i7-960 is the better buy right now. Core i7-960 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $309 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.0% average FPS lead across 35 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T5670 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-960 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 T5670 vs Core i7-960 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 i7-960

The Core i7-960 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,400 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5670 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-960 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-960 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5670 versus 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-960 — a 63.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-960 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5670 uses the Merom-2M (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-960 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5670 scores 3,440 against the Core i7-960's 3,400 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5670. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5670 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-960.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5670	Core i7-960
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3.46 GHz+92%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+78%
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-2M (2008)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,440+1%	3,400