Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Ryzen 5 3600

Core 2 Solo SU3500

1 Cores1 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2009

Ryzen 5 3600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Solo SU3500

1 / 1

1,468

0.0%

17,685

+1104.7%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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. The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is positioned at rank #1195 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 Solo SU3500

#1183

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

5239%

#1184

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

5163%

#1185

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4739%

#1186

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4718%

#1187

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4675%

#1189

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4514%

#1190

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

4329%

#1191

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

4321%

#1192

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

4205%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

100%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

98%

#1199

Celeron 560

MSRP: $89|Avg: $5

95%

#1200

Core i3-2312M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1201

Celeron 857

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

94%

#1202

Celeron 925

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

94%

#1203

Core 2 Duo E8135

MSRP: $200|Avg: $15

91%

#1204

Core 2 Duo U7700

MSRP: $262|Avg: $10

91%

#1205

Core Duo T2400

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

90%

#1206

Core 2 Duo U7600

MSRP: $250|Avg: $5

90%

#1207

Pentium M 735

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

89%

#1208

Core i7-620LM

MSRP: $300|Avg: N/A

87%

#1209

Core i7-740QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 3600

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

1410%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

1332%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

967%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

291%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

231%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

202%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

116%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

114%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

104%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

104%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

103%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

100%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

99%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

98%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

97%

#16

Core Ultra 5 225F

MSRP: $231|Avg: $150

95%

#17

Core Ultra 7 265K

MSRP: $309|Avg: $285

93%

#18

Ryzen 9 3900

MSRP: $499|Avg: $150

92%

#19

Ryzen 5 3600X

MSRP: $249|Avg: $90

91%

#20

Core i7-14700KF

MSRP: $384|Avg: $260

91%

#21

Core i7-14700K

MSRP: $409|Avg: $270

88%

#22

Ryzen 5 4500

MSRP: $129|Avg: $85

85%

#23

Ryzen 5 5600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $115

85%

#24

Celeron G5925

MSRP: $62|Avg: $15

85%

#25

Ryzen 5 7500F

MSRP: $179|Avg: $145

83%

#26

Core Ultra 5 245

MSRP: $319|Avg: $220

83%

#27

Ryzen 7 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $86

82%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 5 3600 (2019) utilizes 7 nm, 12 nm technology and **DDR4 Dual-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Ryzen 5 3600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Matisse (2019−2020) / 7 nm, 12 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Ryzen 5 3600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+126%)
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)

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.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 3600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Solo SU3500 and Ryzen 5 3600

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.

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 3600 has 5 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 — a 100% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3600 (base: 1.3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses Matisse (2019−2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Ryzen 5 3600's 17,685 — a 169.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Ryzen 5 3600
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	6 / 12+500%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	4.2 GHz+200%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+177%
L3 Cache	3 MB	32 MB (total)+967%
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512K (per core)
Process	45 nm	7 nm, 12 nm-84%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Matisse (2019−2020)
PassMark	1,468	17,685+1105%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	9,500
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,295
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,898

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Ryzen 5 3600
Socket	BGA956	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Solo SU3500) / Yes (Ryzen 5 3600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Ryzen 5 3600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes
Target Use	—	Gaming/Budget Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 launched at $262 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 3600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($15 vs $80), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 is $65 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 97.9 pts/$ vs 221.1 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3600 — making the Ryzen 5 3600 the 77.3% better value option.