Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i7-620LM

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 Solo SU3500 vs Core i7-620LM 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 Solo SU3500 vs Core i7-620LM: 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 Solo SU3500

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $38 less on MSRP ($262 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 25W, a 22W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-620LM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-620LM

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics, while Core 2 Solo SU3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,463 vs 1,468).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.9 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
❌733.3% higher power demand at 25W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3500 better than Core i7-620LM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-620LM is ahead with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i7-620LM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Solo SU3500 comes in $38 cheaper on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-620LM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 14.9% better value on MSRP (5.6 vs 4.9 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-620LM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Core i7-620LM Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.

Core i7-620LM

The Core i7-620LM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,463 points. Launch price was $300.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Core i7-620LM offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-620LM has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-620LM — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-620LM (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-620LM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Core i7-620LM's 1,463 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3500. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620LM.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Core i7-620LM
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+100%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	2 GHz+54%
L3 Cache	3 MB	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,468	1,463
Geekbench 6 Single	—	450
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	900

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-620LM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Core i7-620LM
Socket	BGA956	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Solo SU3500) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-620LM). The Core i7-620LM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620LM targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-620LM rivals Ryzen 5 3500U.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Core i7-620LM
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Budget

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Core i7-620LM came in at $300. On launch pricing ($262 vs $300), Core 2 Solo SU3500 was $38 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 4.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-620LM — making the Core 2 Solo SU3500 the 13.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Core i7-620LM
MSRP	$262-13%	$300
Performance per Dollar	5.6+14%	4.9
Release Date	2009	2010

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