Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Core i5-2540M

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Core i5-2540M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 / 2

2,355

0.0%

2,356

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 i5-2540M is on rank 8, so the Core i5-2540M 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 i5-2540M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

112%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

110%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

101%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

101%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

100%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

97%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

93%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

92%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

90%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

83%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

82%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

81%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

73%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

70%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2540M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T6600 in both compute-intensive tasks (0% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i5-2540M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo T6600 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $4 (vs $10), it costs 60% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 150% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2540M.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i5-2540M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+150%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

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 i5-2540M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T6600 and Core i5-2540M

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 i5-2540M

The Core i5-2540M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,356 points. Launch price was $266.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2540M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2540M — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i5-2540M (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2540M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Core i5-2540M's 2,356 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-2540M. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2540M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i5-2540M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	3.3 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,355	2,356
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 i5-2540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 1333 on the Core i5-2540M — the Core i5-2540M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2540M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs 16 (Core i5-2540M) — the Core i5-2540M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T6600) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2540M).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i5-2540M
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+52428700%	16
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 true (Core i5-2540M). The Core i5-2540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2540M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core i5-2540M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	true
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($4 vs $10), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $6 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 235.6 pts/$ for the Core i5-2540M — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 85.7% better value option.