Core Duo T2400 vs Pentium 987

Intel

Core Duo T2400

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.83 GHz2006
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Pentium 987

2 Cores2 Thrd17 WWMax: 1.5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Core Duo T2400 vs Pentium 987 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core Duo T2400 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 Duo T2400 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 Duo T2400

2006

Why buy it

  • Draws 2W instead of 17W, a 15W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.1 vs 11.1 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $134 MSRP).

Pentium 987

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $160 less on MSRP ($134 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • Delivers 119.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.1 vs 5.1 PassMark/$ ($134 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,487 vs 1,488).
  • 750% higher power demand at 17W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Duo T2400 better than Pentium 987?
Yes. Core Duo T2400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core Duo T2400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.6% 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, Core Duo T2400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Duo T2400 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core Duo T2400 comes in 119.4% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $134 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium 987 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 1.6% in the shared gaming data.
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 2006). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core Duo T2400 vs Pentium 987 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core Duo T2400

The Core Duo T2400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.83 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,488 points. Launch price was $16.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

Both the Core Duo T2400 and Pentium 987 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.83 GHz on the Core Duo T2400 versus 1.5 GHz on the Pentium 987 — a 19.8% clock advantage for the Core Duo T2400 (base: 1.83 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core Duo T2400 uses the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium 987 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core Duo T2400 scores 1,488 against the Pentium 987's 1,487 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Duo T2400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core Duo T2400 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 987.

FeatureCore Duo T2400Pentium 987
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.83 GHz+22%
1.5 GHz
Base Clock
1.83 GHz+22%
1.5 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
2 MB (total)
L2 Cache
2 MB
256K (per core)+12700%
Process
65 nm
32 nm-51%
Architecture
Yonah (2005−2006)
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark
1,488
1,487
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Duo T2400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 987 uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore Duo T2400Pentium 987
Socket
PGA478
BGA1023
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core Duo T2400) / not specified (Pentium 987). Primary use case: Core Duo T2400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core Duo T2400 rivals Pentium T2310.

FeatureCore Duo T2400Pentium 987
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Duo T2400 was priced at $294, while the Pentium 987 came in at $134. On launch pricing ($294 vs $134), Pentium 987 was $160 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Duo T2400 delivers 5.1 pts/$ vs 11.1 pts/$ for the Pentium 987 — making the Pentium 987 the 74.7% better value option.

FeatureCore Duo T2400Pentium 987
MSRP
$294
$134-54%
Performance per Dollar
5.1
11.1+118%
Release Date
2006
2013

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