Core 2 Duo T9300 vs Core i3-4010U

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Core i3-4010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 / 2

1,670

+0.6%

1,660

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 T9300 is positioned at rank 176 and the Core i3-4010U is on rank 179, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 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 T9300

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

351%

#165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

346%

#166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

318%

#167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

316%

#168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

314%

#170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

303%

#171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

290%

#172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

290%

#173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

282%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4010U

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#167

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

353%

#168

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

348%

#169

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

320%

#170

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

318%

#171

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

315%

#173

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

305%

#174

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

292%

#175

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

292%

#176

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

284%

#179

Core i3-4010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#193

Pentium Gold 4417U

MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A

98%

#194

Atom N475

MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo T9300 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i3-4010U in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9300	Core i3-4010U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9300	Core i3-4010U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 T9300 Benchmark Check

Core i3-4010U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T9300 and Core i3-4010U

Core 2 Duo T9300

The Core 2 Duo T9300 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.

Core i3-4010U

The Core i3-4010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,660 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4010U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 versus 1.7 GHz on the Core i3-4010U — a 38.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4010U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9300 scores 1,670 against the Core i3-4010U's 1,660 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4010U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Core i3-4010U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,670	1,660
Geekbench 6 Multi	432	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4010U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9300	Core i3-4010U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4010U). The Core i3-4010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget, Core i3-4010U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.