Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Core i3-3240
Core 2 Duo T6600
Core i3-3240
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 T6600 is positioned at rank 13 and the Core i3-3240 is on rank 847, so the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 T6600
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3240
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($4) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+275%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($4) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 T6600 and Core i3-3240
Core 2 Duo T6600
The Core 2 Duo T6600 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.
Core i3-3240
The Core i3-3240 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: 2,352 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo T6600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3240's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i3-3240 — a 42.9% clock advantage for the Core i3-3240 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3240 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Core i3-3240's 2,352 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T6600. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+55% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.4 GHz+55% |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB L2 Cache | 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 | 2,355 | 2,352 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 200 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 350 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3240 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-800 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600) / not specified (Core i3-3240). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($4 vs $15), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 156.8 pts/$ for the Core i3-3240 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 115.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T6600 | Core i3-3240 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | — | $132 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $4-73% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 588.8+276% | 156.8 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2012 |
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