Core 2 Duo T7100 vs Core i7-820QM

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo T7100

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2007

Core i7-820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T7100

2 / 2

1,817

0.0%

1,819

+0.1%

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 T7100 is positioned at rank 24 and the Core i7-820QM is on rank 1231, so the Core 2 Duo T7100 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 T7100

#12

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

161%

#13

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

159%

#14

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

146%

#15

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

145%

#16

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

144%

#18

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

139%

#19

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

133%

#20

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

133%

#21

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

130%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

100%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

96%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

96%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

94%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

94%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

94%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

93%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

92%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

85%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-820QM

#1219

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

8811%

#1220

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

8682%

#1221

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

7970%

#1222

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

7934%

#1223

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

7861%

#1225

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

7592%

#1226

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

7279%

#1227

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

7267%

#1228

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

7072%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

100%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

84%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

71%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

64%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

62%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

61%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

55%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

51%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-820QM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T7100 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7100	Core i7-820QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo T7100 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $15 (vs $546), it costs 97% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 3536% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i7-820QM.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7100	Core i7-820QM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+3536%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($546)

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 T7100 Benchmark Check

Core i7-820QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7100 and Core i7-820QM

Core 2 Duo T7100

The Core 2 Duo T7100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 May 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,817 points. Launch price was $197.

Core i7-820QM

The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-820QM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7100 versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM — a 51.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.8 GHz vs 1.73 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7100 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-820QM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7100 scores 1,817 against the Core i7-820QM's 1,819 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-820QM. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7100 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7100	Core i7-820QM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	1.8 GHz	3.06 GHz+70%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz+4%	1.73 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	1,817	1,819

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7100 versus 1333 on the Core i7-820QM — the Core i7-820QM supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7100) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-820QM).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7100	Core i7-820QM
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	1333+66550%
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7100) vs true (Core i7-820QM). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7100 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7100 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42; Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.