Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Core i3-380M
Core 2 Duo T9900
Core i3-380M
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 T9900 is positioned at rank 635 and the Core i3-380M is on rank 11, so the Core i3-380M 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 T9900
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-380M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T9900 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo T9900 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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 T9900 and Core i3-380M
Core 2 Duo T9900
The Core 2 Duo T9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,204 points. Launch price was $530.
Core i3-380M
The Core i3-380M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 October 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 0.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,212 points. Launch price was $49.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo T9900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-380M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9900 versus 0.53 GHz on the Core i3-380M — a 153.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-380M (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9900 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-380M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9900 scores 1,204 against the Core i3-380M's 1,212 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-380M. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9900 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-380M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9900 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 0.07 GHz | 0.53 GHz+657% |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz+21% | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+2300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,204 | 1,212 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 450 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,100 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo T9900 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-380M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9900 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T9900) / VT-x (Core i3-380M). The Core i3-380M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1)), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-380M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-380M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo T9900 | Core i3-380M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics (Gen 1) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Laptop |
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