Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Pentium G860

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 G860 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 G860: 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

✅Draws 3W instead of 256W, a 253W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,468 vs 1,485).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.6 vs 17.3 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G860 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G860

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $176 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 208.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics, while Core 2 Solo SU3500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌8433.3% higher power demand at 256W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G860 better than Core 2 Solo SU3500?

Yes. Pentium G860 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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 G860 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% 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 G860 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium G860 is the better buy right now. Pentium G860 comes in $176 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $262 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 208.2% better value on MSRP (17.3 vs 5.6 PassMark/$), 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 G860 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 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 G860 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 G860

The Pentium G860 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $75.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Pentium G860 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium G860 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 3 GHz on the Pentium G860 — a 72.7% clock advantage for the Pentium G860 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G860 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Pentium G860's 1,485 — a 1.2% lead for the Pentium G860. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G860.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium G860
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	2 / 2+100%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	3 GHz+114%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3 GHz+131%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 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	1,485+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G860 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium G860
Socket	BGA956	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 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 (Pentium G860). The Pentium G860 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Solo SU3500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G860 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium G860
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Pentium G860 came in at $86. On launch pricing ($262 vs $86), Pentium G860 was $176 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 17.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G860 — making the Pentium G860 the 102% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium G860
MSRP	$262	$86-67%
Performance per Dollar	5.6	17.3+209%
Release Date	2009	2011

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