Core 2 Duo T5870
VS
Core i3-3240T

Core 2 Duo T5870 vs Core i3-3240T

Intel

Core 2 Duo T5870

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core i3-3240T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

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 T5870 is positioned at rank 538 and the Core i3-3240T is on rank 851, so the Core 2 Duo T5870 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 T5870

#169
Core i7-1280P
MSRP: $482|Avg: $482
100%
#526
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
702%
#527
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
692%
#528
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
635%
#529
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
632%
#530
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
627%
#532
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
605%
#533
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
580%
#534
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
579%
#535
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
564%
#538
Core 2 Duo T5870
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#549
Celeron Dual-Core T1500
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $49
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3240T

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
17552%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
16584%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
12042%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
3628%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
2873%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
2514%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1440%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1421%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1294%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1294%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1279%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1245%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1227%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1222%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1211%
#851
Core i3-3240T
MSRP: $117|Avg: $8
100%
#852
Athlon II X2 240
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
99%
#854
Core i5-2500S
MSRP: $192|Avg: $61
99%
#856
Athlon X2 BE-2400
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
99%
#857
Core i3-2102
MSRP: $117|Avg: $15
98%
#858
Pentium G850
MSRP: $86|Avg: $75
98%
#859
Core i5-3475S
MSRP: $249|Avg: $42
98%
#860
Core i7-2600K
MSRP: $317|Avg: $109
97%
#861
Pentium G860
MSRP: $86|Avg: $36
97%
#862
Athlon II X2 245
MSRP: $66|Avg: $15
97%
#863
Core i7-2700K
MSRP: $332|Avg: $45
97%
#865
Core i5-4670K
MSRP: $328|Avg: $200
96%
#866
Core i5-3330S
MSRP: $231|Avg: $30
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-3240T leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T5870 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo T5870Core i3-3240T
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($8)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo T5870Core i3-3240T
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($8)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T5870 and Core i3-3240T

Intel

Core 2 Duo T5870

The Core 2 Duo T5870 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. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 2,089 points. Launch price was $249.

Intel

Core i3-3240T

The Core i3-3240T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,078 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5870 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3240T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5870 versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3240T — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240T (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T5870 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-3240T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5870 scores 2,089 against the Core i3-3240T's 2,078 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5870. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5870 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240T.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T5870Core i3-3240T
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2 GHz
3 GHz+50%
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.9 GHz+45%
L3 Cache
2 MB L2 Cache
3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
256 kB (per core)
Process
65 nm
22 nm-66%
Architecture
Merom (2006−2008)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
2,089
2,078
Geekbench 6 Single
203
Geekbench 6 Multi
314
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T5870) / not specified (Core i3-3240T). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T5870 targets Legacy Mobile.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T5870Core i3-3240T
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Mobile