Core 2 Duo T9550 vs Core 2 Duo T7100

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 T9550 is positioned at rank 342 and the Core 2 Duo T7100 is on rank 24, so the Core 2 Duo T7100 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 T9550

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

98%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

96%

#330

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

488%

#331

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

481%

#332

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

441%

#333

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

439%

#334

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

435%

#336

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

420%

#337

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

403%

#338

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

402%

#339

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

392%

#342

Core 2 Duo T9550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7100

#12

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

161%

#13

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

159%

#14

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

146%

#15

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

145%

#16

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

144%

#18

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

139%

#19

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

133%

#20

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

133%

#21

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

130%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

100%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

96%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

96%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

94%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

94%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

94%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

93%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

92%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

85%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T9550 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T7100 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9550	Core 2 Duo T7100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9550	Core 2 Duo T7100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($15)

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 T9550 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T7100 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T9550 and Core 2 Duo T7100

Core 2 Duo T9550

The Core 2 Duo T9550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,804 points. Launch price was $316.

Core 2 Duo T7100

The Core 2 Duo T7100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 May 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,817 points. Launch price was $197.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T9550 and Core 2 Duo T7100 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9550 versus 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7100 — a 38.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9550 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9550 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7100 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9550 scores 1,804 against the Core 2 Duo T7100's 1,817 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7100. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9550 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7100.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9550	Core 2 Duo T7100
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.66 GHz+48%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+48%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	1,804	1,817

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9550	Core 2 Duo T7100
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T9550) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7100). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7100 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7100 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.