Core 2 Duo T6600 vs Ryzen 5 5600

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 / 2

2,355

0.0%

21,550

+815.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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. The Core 2 Duo T6600 is positioned at rank #13 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Excellent cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 Ryzen 5 5600

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

135%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

123%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

123%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

121%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

118%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

116%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

116%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

115%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

112%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

110%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

109%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

108%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

107%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

103%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

101%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

100%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

100%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

98%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

97%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

97%

#28

Core Ultra 7 265KF

MSRP: $379|Avg: $323

97%

#29

Core Ultra 7 265F

MSRP: $369|Avg: $276

95%

#30

Core i5-12400F

MSRP: $174|Avg: $110

95%

#31

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

94%

#32

Ryzen 7 2700X

MSRP: $329|Avg: $100

93%

#33

Core i3-10100F

MSRP: $88|Avg: $50

93%

#34

Ryzen 5 7400F

MSRP: $150|Avg: $147

93%

#35

Ryzen 5 9600X

MSRP: $279|Avg: $178

90%

#36

Ryzen 7 3800X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $140

88%

#37

Ryzen 3 5300G

MSRP: $130|Avg: $80

87%

#38

Ryzen 9 7900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $316

87%

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 Ryzen 5 5600 (2022) utilizes 7 nm technology and DDR4-3200, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T6600	Ryzen 5 5600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 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	Ryzen 5 5600
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+214%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($4)	⚠️ Higher cost ($115)

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

Ryzen 5 5600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T6600 and Ryzen 5 5600

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.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6600 scores 2,355 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 160.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 200 vs 2,052, a 164.5% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 350 vs 8,600 (184.4% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	6 / 12+200%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	4.4 GHz+100%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	32 MB (total)+1500%
L2 Cache	2 MB+300%	512K (per core)
Process	45 nm	7 nm-84%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	2,355	21,550+815%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	200	2,052+926%
Geekbench 6 Multi	350	8,600+2357%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T6600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 176.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T6600) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	PGA478	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-800	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	128 GB+1500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6600	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	AMD-V
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($4 vs $115), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $111 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo T6600 delivers 588.8 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 103.4% better value option.