Core 2 Duo T5850 vs Core i3-5010U

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Duo T5850 is positioned at rank 245 and the Core i3-5010U is on rank 521, so the Core 2 Duo T5850 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5850

#64

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

100%

#233

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

407%

#234

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

401%

#235

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

368%

#236

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

367%

#237

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

363%

#239

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

351%

#240

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

337%

#241

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

336%

#242

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

327%

#245

Core 2 Duo T5850

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#509

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#510

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#511

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#512

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

612%

#513

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#515

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#516

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#517

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#518

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#521

Core i3-5010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-5010U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core i3-5010U
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T5850 (2008) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core i3-5010U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core 2 Duo T5850 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5010U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T5850 and Core i3-5010U

Core 2 Duo T5850

The Core 2 Duo T5850 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. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,161 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5850 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5010U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5850 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — identical boost frequencies. The Core 2 Duo T5850 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5850 scores 2,161 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5850.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core i3-5010U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	14 nm-78%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,161	2,157
Geekbench 6 Single	—	737

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T5850) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Duo T5850 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.