Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Core i7-680UM

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.

Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Core i7-680UM FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Core i7-680UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo T9900

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌94.4% higher power demand at 35W vs 18W.

Core i7-680UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 35W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,196 vs 1,204).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-680UM better than Core 2 Duo T9900?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-680UM is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T9900 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo T9900 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo T9900 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-680UM still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-680UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-680UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Core i7-680UM Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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 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.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9900 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-680UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9900 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core i7-680UM — a 189.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-680UM (base: 3.06 GHz vs 1.46 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9900 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 T9900 scores 1,204 against the Core i7-680UM's 1,196 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9900. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9900 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-680UM.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9900	Core i7-680UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	2.53 GHz+3514%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+110%	1.46 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,204	1,196

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T9900 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-680UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.