Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Core m5-6Y57

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Core m5-6Y57

2 Cores4 Thrd4.5 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 / 2

2,355

+0.6%

2,342

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 m5-6Y57 is on rank 1123, 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 m5-6Y57

#1110

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3522%

#1111

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3471%

#1112

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3186%

#1113

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3172%

#1114

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3143%

#1116

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3035%

#1117

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2910%

#1118

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2905%

#1119

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2827%

#1123

Core m5-6Y57

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1124

Core i7-610E

MSRP: $250|Avg: $40

99%

#1125

Core i5-5350U

MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A

99%

#1126

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

99%

#1127

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

99%

#1128

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

99%

#1129

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

98%

#1130

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

98%

#1131

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

97%

#1134

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

93%

#1135

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

93%

#1136

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

93%

#1137

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

93%

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 m5-6Y57 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core m5-6Y57
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake-Y (2015) / 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 m5-6Y57
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+6964%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)

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 m5-6Y57 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T6600 and Core m5-6Y57

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 m5-6Y57

The Core m5-6Y57 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,342 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core m5-6Y57's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core m5-6Y57 — a 24% clock advantage for the Core m5-6Y57 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m5-6Y57 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Core m5-6Y57's 2,342 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T6600. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m5-6Y57.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core m5-6Y57
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+100%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,355	2,342
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 m5-6Y57 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core m5-6Y57
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1515
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 m5-6Y57). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Core m5-6Y57
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 $281), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $277 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 8.3 pts/$ for the Core m5-6Y57 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 194.4% better value option.