Core 2 Duo T7600 vs Core i3-5015U

Core 2 Duo T7600

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.33 GHz2006

Core i3-5015U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T7600

2 / 2

2,004

+0.7%

Core 2 Extreme X6800

Processor N50

Celeron 4305U

Pentium Dual Core T2390

1,990

0.0%

Celeron N3350

Celeron G1610T

Core i5-4202Y

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 T7600 is positioned at rank 875 and the Core i3-5015U is on rank 648, so the Core i3-5015U 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 T7600

#863

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1450%

#864

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1428%

#865

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1311%

#866

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1305%

#867

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1293%

#869

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1249%

#870

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1198%

#871

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1196%

#872

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1164%

#875

Core 2 Duo T7600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

99%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

99%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5015U

#636

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

885%

#637

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

872%

#638

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

800%

#639

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

797%

#640

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

789%

#642

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

762%

#643

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

731%

#644

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

730%

#645

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

710%

#648

Core i3-5015U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#650

Core i5-1345UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $312

100%

#662

Athlon II P360

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

98%

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 i3-5015U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7600	Core i3-5015U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7600 (2006) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T7600	Core i3-5015U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 T7600 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5015U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7600 and Core i3-5015U

Core 2 Duo T7600

The Core 2 Duo T7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.33 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: 2,004 points. Launch price was $619.

Core i3-5015U

The Core i3-5015U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,990 points. Launch price was $275.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5015U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7600 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U — a 10.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7600 (base: 2.33 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7600 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-5015U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7600 scores 2,004 against the Core i3-5015U's 1,990 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7600	Core i3-5015U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.33 GHz+11%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.33 GHz+11%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256K (per core)
Process	65 nm	14 nm-78%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,004	1,990

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-5015U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7600 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5015U — the Core i3-5015U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-5015U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo T7600) vs 12 (Core i3-5015U) — the Core 2 Duo T7600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7600	Core i3-5015U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	16 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7600) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5015U). The Core i3-5015U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Duo T7600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile.