Core 2 Duo T9300 vs E1-1200

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

E1-1200

2 Cores2 Thrd18 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core 2 Duo T9300 vs E1-1200 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core 2 Duo T9300 vs E1-1200 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 T9300 vs E1-1200: 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 T9300

2008

Why buy it

  • Draws 6W instead of 18W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,670 vs 1,682).
  • Launch MSRP is still $316 MSRP, while E1-1200 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

E1-1200

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • 200% higher power demand at 18W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo T9300 better than E1-1200?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T9300 is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E1-1200 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E1-1200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core 2 Duo T9300 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo T9300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $316 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that E1-1200 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
E1-1200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 T9300 vs E1-1200 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

E1-1200

The E1-1200 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,682 points. Launch price was $50.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T9300 and E1-1200 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 versus 1.4 GHz on the E1-1200 — a 56.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9300. The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the E1-1200 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9300 scores 1,670 against the E1-1200's 1,682 — a 0.7% lead for the E1-1200. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300 vs 0 kB on the E1-1200.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9300E1-1200
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz+79%
1.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB L2 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
6 MB
512K (per core)+8433%
Process
45 nm
40 nm-11%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,670
1,682
Geekbench 6 Multi
432
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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the E1-1200 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9300E1-1200
Socket
PGA478
FT1
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300) / not specified (E1-1200). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9300E1-1200
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget