Core 2 Duo T9500 vs Athlon 64 FX-72
Core 2 Duo T9500
Athlon 64 FX-72
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 Athlon 64 FX-72 is on rank 1100, so the Core 2 Duo T9500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9500
Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-72
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T9500 | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T9500 | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
Performance Check
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 Athlon 64 FX-72
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.
Athlon 64 FX-72
The Athlon 64 FX-72 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,794 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo T9500 and Athlon 64 FX-72 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9500 versus 2.8 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-72 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-72. The Core 2 Duo T9500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon 64 FX-72 uses Windsor (2006−2007) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9500 scores 1,799 against the Athlon 64 FX-72's 1,794 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9500. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9500 vs 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-72.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9500 | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+500% | 1 MB |
| Process | 45 nm-50% | 90 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Windsor (2006−2007) |
| PassMark | 1,799 | 1,794 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo T9500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon 64 FX-72 uses F (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9500 versus DDR2-800 on the Athlon 64 FX-72 — the Core 2 Duo T9500 supports 40% 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 AMD F (1207) (Athlon 64 FX-72).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9500 | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | F |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066+50% | DDR2-800 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9500) / not specified (Athlon 64 FX-72). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9500 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9500 | Athlon 64 FX-72 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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