Core 2 Duo T9800
VS
Core i7-680UM

Core 2 Duo T9800 vs Core i7-680UM

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9800

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.92 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core i7-680UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2010

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 T9800 is positioned at rank 345 and the Core i7-680UM is on rank 1036, so the Core 2 Duo T9800 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 T9800

#101
Core i5-1350P
MSRP: $320|Avg: $250
99%
#102
Core i3-1220P
MSRP: $250|Avg: $150
98%
#333
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
494%
#334
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
486%
#335
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
446%
#336
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
444%
#337
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
440%
#339
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
425%
#340
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
408%
#341
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
407%
#342
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
396%
#345
Core 2 Duo T9800
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-680UM

#1024
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2453%
#1025
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2417%
#1026
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
2219%
#1027
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
2209%
#1028
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
2189%
#1030
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2114%
#1031
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2027%
#1032
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2023%
#1033
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1969%
#1036
Core i7-680UM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1037
Core i7-8665UE
MSRP: $409|Avg: $409
99%
#1038
Celeron T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
98%
#1039
Celeron Dual-Core T3300
MSRP: $86|Avg: $30
98%
#1042
Core i7-3612QE
MSRP: $426|Avg: $50
97%
#1043
A10-7300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $50
97%
#1044
Pentium Dual Core T4200
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
96%
#1045
A6 Micro-6500T
MSRP: $100|Avg: $15
96%
#1046
Pentium N3520
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
96%
#1047
E2-3800
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
95%
#1048
Athlon X2 QL-66
MSRP: $150|Avg: $5
94%
#1049
Athlon II Neo K145
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
94%
#1050
Celeron P4600
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
94%
#1051
Core 2 Duo U7500
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T9800 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-680UM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo T9800Core i7-680UM
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower 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 (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo T9800Core i7-680UM
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 T9800 and Core i7-680UM

Intel

Core 2 Duo T9800

The Core 2 Duo T9800 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 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 2.92 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: 1,189 points. Launch price was $530.

Intel

Core i7-680UM

The Core i7-680UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.46 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $317.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9800 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-680UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.92 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9800 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i7-680UM — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9800 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 1.46 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9800 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-680UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9800 scores 1,189 against the Core i7-680UM's 1,196 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-680UM. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9800 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-680UM.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9800Core i7-680UM
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.92 GHz+15%
2.53 GHz
Base Clock
2.93 GHz+101%
1.46 GHz
L3 Cache
6 MB L2 Cache+50%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
6 MB+2300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
45 nm
32 nm-29%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,189
1,196
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9800 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-680UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T9800Core i7-680UM
Socket
PGA478
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%