Core Duo T2500 vs Core i5-2557M
Core Duo T2500
Core i5-2557M
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core Duo T2500 is positioned at rank 943 and the Core i5-2557M is on rank 36, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core Duo T2500
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core Duo T2500 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yonah (2005−2006) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core Duo T2500 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core Duo T2500 and Core i5-2557M
Core Duo T2500
The Core Duo T2500 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,621 points. Launch price was $120.
Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 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: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
The Core Duo T2500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2557M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core Duo T2500 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M — a 29.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M (base: 2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core Duo T2500 uses the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i5-2557M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core Duo T2500 scores 1,621 against the Core i5-2557M's 1,618 — a 0.2% lead for the Core Duo T2500. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core Duo T2500 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M.
| Feature | Core Duo T2500 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.7 GHz+35% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz+18% | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+700% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Yonah (2005−2006) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,621 | 1,618 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 521 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 882 |
Memory & Platform
The Core Duo T2500 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-2557M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core Duo T2500 versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M — the Core i5-2557M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2557M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core Duo T2500) vs 16 (Core i5-2557M) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core Duo T2500 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1333+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 4 GB | 8 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core Duo T2500) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core Duo T2500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Duo T2500 targets Mobile, Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core Duo T2500 | Core i5-2557M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Mobile | Budget |
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