Core 2 Duo T9400 vs Core i5-540UM

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo T9400

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2008

Core i5-540UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T9400

2 / 2

1,004

+0.2%

1,002

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 T9400 is positioned at rank 796 and the Core i5-540UM is on rank 1081, so the Core 2 Duo T9400 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 T9400

#784

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1198%

#785

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1180%

#786

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1084%

#787

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1079%

#788

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1069%

#790

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1032%

#791

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

990%

#792

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

988%

#793

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

962%

#796

Core 2 Duo T9400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#797

Celeron M 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

100%

#799

Celeron B815

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#801

Celeron B810

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

99%

#803

Core i7-1365UE

MSRP: $429|Avg: $429

99%

#805

3020e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

98%

#809

Athlon II M320

MSRP: $75|Avg: $15

98%

#810

Celeron B800

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

98%

#811

Celeron B710

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-540UM

#1068

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2928%

#1069

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2885%

#1070

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2649%

#1071

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2637%

#1072

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2613%

#1074

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2523%

#1075

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2419%

#1076

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2415%

#1077

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2350%

#1080

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

100%

#1081

Core i5-540UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1082

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1083

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

99%

#1088

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1089

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1091

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1092

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1093

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1095

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo T9400 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i5-540UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9400	Core i5-540UM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9400	Core i5-540UM
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 T9400 Benchmark Check

Core i5-540UM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T9400 and Core i5-540UM

Core 2 Duo T9400

The Core 2 Duo T9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 1,004 points. Launch price was $316.

Core i5-540UM

The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-540UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9400 versus 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9400 (base: 2.53 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-540UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9400 scores 1,004 against the Core i5-540UM's 1,002 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9400. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9400 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9400	Core i5-540UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+26%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+111%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,004	1,002
Geekbench 6 Single	320	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-540UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9400 versus 800 on the Core i5-540UM — the Core i5-540UM supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9400) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i5-540UM).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9400	Core i5-540UM
Socket	PGA478	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	800+26567%
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9400) vs true (Core i5-540UM). The Core i5-540UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo T9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9400 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U; Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.