Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Pentium M 735

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 M 735 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 M 735: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $32 less on MSRP ($262 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 12.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.6 vs 5.0 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 21W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium M 735

2004

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,459 vs 1,468).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.0 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
❌600% higher power demand at 21W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3500 better than Pentium M 735?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium M 735 is ahead with a 0.2% 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 0.6% better PassMark.

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 0.6% 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 $32 cheaper on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Pentium M 735 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 12.9% better value on MSRP (5.6 vs 5.0 PassMark/$), 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 2 Solo SU3500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2004) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 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 M 735 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 M 735

The Pentium M 735 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Dothan (2004−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,459 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Solo SU3500 and Pentium M 735 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 1.7 GHz on the Pentium M 735 — a 19.4% clock advantage for the Pentium M 735 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium M 735 uses Dothan (2004−2005) (90 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Pentium M 735's 1,459 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3500. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 0 kB on the Pentium M 735.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium M 735
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	1 / 1
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	1.7 GHz+21%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	1.7 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
Process	45 nm-50%	90 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Dothan (2004−2005)
PassMark	1,468	1,459

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium M 735 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium M 735
Socket	BGA956	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR-333
Max RAM Capacity	—	2 GB
RAM Channels	—	1
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Solo SU3500) / None (Pentium M 735). Primary use case: Pentium M 735 targets Mobile Legacy.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium M 735
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	None
Target Use	—	Mobile Legacy

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Pentium M 735 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($262 vs $294), Core 2 Solo SU3500 was $32 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 5.0 pts/$ for the Pentium M 735 — making the Core 2 Solo SU3500 the 12.1% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Pentium M 735
MSRP	$262-11%	$294
Performance per Dollar	5.6+12%	5.0
Release Date	2009	2004

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