Core 2 Duo T5900 vs Pentium G3260

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 T5900 is positioned at rank 19 and the Pentium G3260 is on rank 556, so the Core 2 Duo T5900 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 T5900

#7

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

138%

#8

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

136%

#9

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

125%

#10

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

124%

#11

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

123%

#13

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

119%

#14

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

114%

#15

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

114%

#16

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

111%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

100%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

90%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

86%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

86%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

82%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

82%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

81%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

81%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

80%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

80%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

78%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3260

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

9429%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

8909%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

6469%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1949%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1544%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1350%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

773%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

763%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

695%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

695%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

687%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

669%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

659%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

657%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

651%

#274

Ryzen 7 1800X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $120

99%

#379

Core i9-9940X

MSRP: $1387|Avg: $850

100%

#380

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

MSRP: $1899|Avg: $1836

99%

#381

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

98%

#556

Pentium G3260

MSRP: $64|Avg: $21

100%

#561

Athlon II X2 220

MSRP: $32|Avg: $10

99%

#563

Athlon X4 840

MSRP: $102|Avg: $25

99%

#564

Athlon 5350

MSRP: $55|Avg: $15

99%

#566

FX-8320

MSRP: $169|Avg: $50

98%

#567

FX-8120

MSRP: $205|Avg: $40

97%

#568

Core i3-7100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $39

97%

#569

Pentium E2220

MSRP: $32|Avg: $32

97%

#571

Pentium G620T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $90

97%

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 Pentium G3260 (2015) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5900	Pentium G3260
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($21)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T5900 (2008) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5900	Pentium G3260
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+321%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($21)

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 T5900 Benchmark Check

Pentium G3260 Benchmark Check

Counter-Strike 2

No prediction data available

League of Legends

League of Legends

No prediction data available

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T5900 and Pentium G3260

Core 2 Duo T5900

The Core 2 Duo T5900 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: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,123 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium G3260

The Pentium G3260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,116 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T5900 and Pentium G3260 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Core 2 Duo T5900 is built on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5900 scores 2,123 against the Pentium G3260's 2,116 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5900.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5900	Pentium G3260
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	—
Base Clock	—	3.3 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB
L2 Cache	2 MB	—
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	—
PassMark	2,123	2,116

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5900 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3260 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5900	Pentium G3260
Socket	P	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($5 vs $21), the Core 2 Duo T5900 is $16 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T5900 delivers 424.6 pts/$ vs 100.8 pts/$ for the Pentium G3260 — making the Core 2 Duo T5900 the 123.3% better value option.