Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Pentium 987

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 Pentium 987 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 Pentium 987: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Draws 3W instead of 17W, a 14W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,468 vs 1,487).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $128 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌466.7% higher power demand at 17W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 987 better than Core 2 Solo SU3500?

Yes. Pentium 987 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium 987 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 987 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 987 is the better buy right now. Pentium 987 comes in $128 cheaper on MSRP at $134 MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 98.1% better value on MSRP (11.1 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 987 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 1/1. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Pentium 987 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.

Pentium 987

The Pentium 987 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,487 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Pentium 987 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium 987 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Pentium 987 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 1.3% lead for the Pentium 987. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium 987
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	1.5 GHz+7%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	1.5 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB	256K (per core)+8433%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,468	1,487+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium 987
Socket	BGA956	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Pentium 987 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($262 vs $134), Pentium 987 was $128 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the Pentium 987 the 65.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium 987
MSRP	$262	$134-49%
Performance per Dollar	5.6	11.1+98%
Release Date	2009	2013

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