Core 2 Duo T5900 vs Ryzen 5 5600

Core 2 Duo T5900

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2008

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T5900

2 / 2

2,123

0.0%

21,550

+915.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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. The Core 2 Duo T5900 is positioned at rank #19 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Excellent cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

138%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

136%

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 Ryzen 5 5600

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

135%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

123%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

123%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

121%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

118%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

116%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

116%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

115%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

112%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

110%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

109%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

108%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

107%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

103%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

101%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

100%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

100%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

98%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

97%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

97%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

97%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

95%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

95%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

94%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

93%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

93%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

93%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

90%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

88%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

87%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

87%

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 Ryzen 5 5600 (2022) utilizes 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5900	Ryzen 5 5600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 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	Ryzen 5 5600
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+127%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($5)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)

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

Ryzen 5 5600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T5900 and Ryzen 5 5600

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.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5900 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600. The Core 2 Duo T5900 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5900 scores 2,123 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 164.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5900	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+100%
Base Clock	—	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	32 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	65 nm	7 nm-89%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	2,123	21,550+915%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T5900 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5900	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	P	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T5900) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5900	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($5 vs $115), the Core 2 Duo T5900 is $110 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T5900 delivers 424.6 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Core 2 Duo T5900 the 77.5% better value option.