Core 2 Duo T8300 vs Core i7-620LM

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.

Core 2 Duo T8300 vs Core i7-620LM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo T8300 vs Core i7-620LM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo T8300

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 25W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (850 vs 900).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-620LM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-620LM

2010

Why buy it

✅+5.9% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core 2 Duo T8300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $300 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T8300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌733.3% higher power demand at 25W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-620LM better than Core 2 Duo T8300?

Yes. Core i7-620LM is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 5.9% better Geekbench multi-core, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-620LM is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-620LM is the better buy right now. Core i7-620LM comes in at an unclear MSRP at $300 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-620LM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo T8300 vs Core i7-620LM Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo T8300

The Core 2 Duo T8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,472 points. Launch price was $241.

Core i7-620LM

The Core i7-620LM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,463 points. Launch price was $300.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T8300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-620LM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8300 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-620LM — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-620LM (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T8300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-620LM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T8300 scores 1,472 against the Core i7-620LM's 1,463 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T8300. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 450 vs 450, a 0% lead for the Core i7-620LM that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 850 vs 900 (5.7% advantage for the Core i7-620LM). L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8300 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620LM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8300	Core i7-620LM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,472	1,463
Geekbench 6 Single	450	450
Geekbench 6 Multi	850	900+6%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T8300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-620LM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Duo T8300 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-620LM — the Core i7-620LM supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T8300) vs 16 (Core i7-620LM) — the Core i7-620LM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T8300) and QM57,HM55 (Core i7-620LM).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8300	Core i7-620LM
Socket	PGA478	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	DDR3-1066+33%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T8300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-620LM). The Core i7-620LM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo T8300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T8300 targets Legacy Laptop, Core i7-620LM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-620LM rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.