Core 2 Duo T9500
VS
A8-5550M

Core 2 Duo T9500 vs A8-5550M

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9500

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2008
VS
AMD

A8-5550M

4 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 T9500 is positioned at rank 343 and the A8-5550M is on rank 692, so the Core 2 Duo T9500 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 T9500

#101
Core i5-1350P
MSRP: $320|Avg: $250
98%
#102
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
97%
#331
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
489%
#332
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
482%
#333
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
443%
#334
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
441%
#335
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
437%
#337
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
422%
#338
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
404%
#339
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
404%
#340
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
393%
#343
Core 2 Duo T9500
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A8-5550M

#680
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
972%
#681
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
958%
#682
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
879%
#683
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
875%
#684
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
867%
#686
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
838%
#687
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
803%
#688
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
802%
#689
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
780%
#692
A8-5550M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#696
Processor N95
MSRP: $160|Avg: $80
99%
#699
Athlon Silver 3050e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $60
99%
#705
C-60
MSRP: $50|Avg: $20
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The A8-5550M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T9500 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.7% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Duo T9500A8-5550M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo T9500A8-5550M
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T9500 and A8-5550M

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9500

The Core 2 Duo T9500 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,799 points. Launch price was $530.

AMD

A8-5550M

The A8-5550M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,811 points. Launch price was $90.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A8-5550M offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-5550M has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9500 versus 3.1 GHz on the A8-5550M — a 17.5% clock advantage for the A8-5550M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-5550M uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9500 scores 1,799 against the A8-5550M's 1,811 — a 0.7% lead for the A8-5550M. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9500 vs 0 kB on the A8-5550M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9500A8-5550M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz
3.1 GHz+19%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+24%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB L2 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
6 MB+500%
1 MB (per core)
Process
45 nm
32 nm-29%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Richland (2013−2014)
PassMark
1,799
1,811
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A8-5550M uses FS1r2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9500 versus 1600 on the A8-5550M — the A8-5550M supports 199.3% 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 T9500) and FP2,FS1r2 (A8-5550M).

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9500A8-5550M
Socket
PGA478
FS1r2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9500) vs true (A8-5550M). The A8-5550M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G), while the Core 2 Duo T9500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9500 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U; A8-5550M rivals Core i3-4000M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9500A8-5550M
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget