Core 2 Duo U7600
VS
Core i5-450M

Core 2 Duo U7600 vs Core i5-450M

Intel

Core 2 Duo U7600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2006
VS
Intel

Core i5-450M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.66 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 U7600 is positioned at rank 1206 and the Core i5-450M is on rank 10, so the Core i5-450M 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 U7600

#1194
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
5810%
#1195
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
5725%
#1196
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5255%
#1197
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5232%
#1198
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
5184%
#1200
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
5006%
#1201
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
4800%
#1202
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
4792%
#1203
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4663%
#1206
Core 2 Duo U7600
MSRP: $250|Avg: $5
100%
#1207
Pentium M 735
MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A
98%
#1208
Core i7-620LM
MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A
97%
#1209
Core i7-740QM
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
96%
#1211
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
94%
#1212
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
94%
#1213
Celeron U3600
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
92%
#1216
Core 2 Quad Q9000
MSRP: $348|Avg: $15
91%
#1217
Core i5-2537M
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
91%
#1218
Core i7-720QM
MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A
90%
#1219
Pentium U5400
MSRP: $289|Avg: $214
88%
#1220
Pentium T2330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $7
88%
#1221
Z-01
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
85%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-450M

#4
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
116%
#5
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
114%
#6
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
105%
#7
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
105%
#8
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
104%
#10
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
100%
#11
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
96%
#12
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
96%
#13
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
93%
#17
Core i3-350M
MSRP: $130|Avg: $10
86%
#18
Atom x5-E8000
MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A
85%
#19
Core 2 Duo T5900
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
84%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
75%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
72%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
72%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-450M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo U7600 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($5)
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Merom-2048 (2006−2008) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo U7600 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $5 (vs $31), it costs 84% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 520% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-450M.
InsightCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+520%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($5)
⚠️ Higher cost ($31)

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 U7600 and Core i5-450M

Intel

Core 2 Duo U7600

The Core 2 Duo U7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom-2048 (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,263 points. Launch price was $249.

Intel

Core i5-450M

The Core i5-450M 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 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: 1,264 points. Launch price was $32.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo U7600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-450M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo U7600 versus 2.66 GHz on the Core i5-450M — a 75.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-450M (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo U7600 uses the Merom-2048 (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-450M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo U7600 scores 1,263 against the Core i5-450M's 1,264 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-450M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo U7600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-450M.

FeatureCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.2 GHz
2.66 GHz+122%
Base Clock
1.2 GHz
2.4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
0 kB
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB+700%
256K (per core)
Process
65 nm
32 nm-51%
Architecture
Merom-2048 (2006−2008)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,263
1,264
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo U7600 uses the BGA479 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-450M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
Socket
BGA479
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
1066
Max RAM Capacity
8
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo U7600) / true (Core i5-450M). The Core i5-450M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo U7600 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-450M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

FeatureCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo U7600 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Core i5-450M debuted at $32. At current prices ($5 vs $31), the Core 2 Duo U7600 is $26 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo U7600 delivers 252.6 pts/$ vs 40.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-450M — making the Core 2 Duo U7600 the 144.4% better value option.

FeatureCore 2 Duo U7600Core i5-450M
MSRP
$250
$32-87%
Avg Price (30d)
$5-84%
$31
Performance per Dollar
252.6+519%
40.8
Release Date
2006
2010