Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Pentium 3805U

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 Pentium 3805U 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 Pentium 3805U: 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.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium 3805U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium 3805U

2015

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Broadwell), while Core 2 Duo T9900 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,196 vs 1,204).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo T9900 better than Pentium 3805U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium 3805U is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 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 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 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 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core 2 Duo T9900 still makes the most sense overall. Core 2 Duo T9900 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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

Pentium 3805U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo T9900 vs Pentium 3805U 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.

Pentium 3805U

The Pentium 3805U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,196 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo T9900 and Pentium 3805U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9900 versus 1.9 GHz on the Pentium 3805U — a 185.8% clock advantage for the Pentium 3805U (base: 3.06 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T9900 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 3805U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9900 scores 1,204 against the Pentium 3805U'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 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 3805U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9900	Pentium 3805U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.07 GHz	1.9 GHz+2614%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+61%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
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 Pentium 3805U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9900	Pentium 3805U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	16 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	12

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo T9900) / VT-x, VT-d (Pentium 3805U). The Pentium 3805U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Broadwell)), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium 3805U targets Mobile.