Core 2 Duo T7200 vs Atom D525

Core 2 Duo T7200

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2 GHz2006

Atom D525

2 Cores4 Thrd13 WWMax: 1.83 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T7200

2 / 2

1,717

+0.6%

1,707

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 T7200 is positioned at rank 29 and the Atom D525 is on rank 31, so the Core 2 Duo T7200 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 T7200

#17

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

171%

#18

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

168%

#19

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#20

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

154%

#21

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

152%

#23

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

147%

#24

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

141%

#25

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

141%

#26

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

137%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

100%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

99%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom D525

#19

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#20

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#21

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#22

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#23

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#25

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#26

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#27

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#28

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

100%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

98%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

91%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

90%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo T7200 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Atom D525 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7200	Atom D525
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($6)	⚠️ Higher cost ($63)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Pinetrail (2009−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo T7200 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 90% cheaper ($6 vs $63) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7200	Atom D525
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+956%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($6)	⚠️ Higher cost ($63)

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 T7200 Benchmark Check

Atom D525 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7200 and Atom D525

Core 2 Duo T7200

The Core 2 Duo T7200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,717 points. Launch price was $286.

Atom D525

The Atom D525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Pinetrail (2009−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA559. Thermal design power (TDP): 13 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,707 points. Launch price was $63.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7200 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Atom D525's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7200 versus 1.83 GHz on the Atom D525 — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7200 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7200 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Atom D525 uses Pinetrail (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7200 scores 1,717 against the Atom D525's 1,707 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7200	Atom D525
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2 GHz+9%	1.83 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+11%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512K (per core)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Pinetrail (2009−2011)
PassMark	1,717	1,707

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7200 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom D525 uses FCBGA559 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7200 versus DDR3-800 on the Atom D525 — the Atom D525 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo T7200) vs 1 (Atom D525). Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7200) and Intel NM10 (Atom D525).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7200	Atom D525
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA559
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3-800+50%
Max RAM Capacity	—	4 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7200) / not specified (Atom D525). The Atom D525 includes integrated graphics (Intel GMA 3150), while the Core 2 Duo T7200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7200 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7200 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.