CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo T6570
Core i3-3225
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 T6570 is positioned at rank 222 and the Core i3-3225 is on rank 937, so the Core 2 Duo T6570 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T6570
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3225
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T6570 | Core i3-3225 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($167) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T6570 | Core i3-3225 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($167) |
Performance Check
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 T6570 and Core i3-3225
Core 2 Duo T6570
The Core 2 Duo T6570 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,274 points. Launch price was $249.
Core i3-3225
The Core i3-3225 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,276 points. Launch price was $264.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo T6570 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3225's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6570 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3225 — a 44.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-3225 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6570 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3225 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6570 scores 2,274 against the Core i3-3225's 2,276 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i3-3225. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 246 vs 558, a 77.6% lead for the Core i3-3225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Core 2 Duo T6570 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3225.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6570 | Core i3-3225 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.3 GHz+57% |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 3.3 GHz+57% |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB | 3 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,274 | 2,276 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 246 | 558+127% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,142 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo T6570 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3225 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45,GL40 (Core 2 Duo T6570) and H77,Z77,Q77,B75,P67,Z68,H67 (Core i3-3225).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6570 | Core i3-3225 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6570) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3225). The Core i3-3225 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo T6570 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6570 targets Budget, Core i3-3225 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T6570 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U; Core i3-3225 rivals Phenom II X4 965 BE (125W).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6570 | Core i3-3225 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | Budget | Budget |
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