Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Core i3-6102E

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Core i3-6102E

2 Cores4 Thrd25 WWMax: 1.9 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 / 2

2,355

+0.3%

2,349

0.0%

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 i3-6102E is on rank 989, so the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-6102E

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

29858%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

28213%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

20485%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6171%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

4888%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4276%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2449%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2417%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2201%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2201%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2176%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2117%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2088%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2079%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2061%

#304

Core i7-6950X

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $180

98%

#989

Core i3-6102E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

100%

#990

Pentium Dual-Core E2160

MSRP: $84|Avg: $5

100%

#991

Pentium Dual-Core E2210

MSRP: $98|Avg: $15

98%

#992

Core 2 Duo E7500

MSRP: $113|Avg: $10

98%

#993

Core 2 Quad Q9505

MSRP: $213|Avg: $150

98%

#996

Core i7-930

MSRP: $294|Avg: $20

98%

#997

Core i7-920

MSRP: $284|Avg: $79

97%

#998

Core i7-4960X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $136

96%

#999

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

94%

#1001

Core 2 Duo E4400

MSRP: $113|Avg: $20

93%

#1002

Pentium D 915

MSRP: $74|Avg: $10

91%

#1003

Core 2 Quad Q9400

MSRP: $229|Avg: $25

90%

#1004

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

89%

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 Core i3-6102E (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and LPDDR3-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i3-6102E
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T6600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i3-6102E
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+777%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($35)

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 T6600 Benchmark Check

Core i3-6102E Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T6600 and Core i3-6102E

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 i3-6102E

The Core i3-6102E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,349 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-6102E's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-6102E — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T6600. The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-6102E uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Core i3-6102E's 2,349 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo T6600. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-6102E.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i3-6102E
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+16%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	3 MB+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,355	2,349
Geekbench 6 Single	200	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	350	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i3-6102E — the Core i3-6102E supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-6102E supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs 16 (Core i3-6102E) — the Core i3-6102E offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i3-6102E
Socket	PGA478	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	64 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-6102E). The Core i3-6102E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop, Core i3-6102E targets Embedded.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i3-6102E
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($4 vs $35), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $31 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 67.1 pts/$ for the Core i3-6102E — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 159.1% better value option.