Core Duo T2600 vs Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 T2600 vs Pentium Dual Core T2390 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 T2600 vs Pentium Dual Core T2390: 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 T2600

2006

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,765 vs 1,771).
❌100% higher power demand at 2W vs 1W.

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 2W, a 1W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core Duo T2600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core T2390 better than Core Duo T2600?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core Duo T2600 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, Pentium Dual Core T2390 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core T2390 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $86 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core Duo T2600 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Dual Core T2390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core Duo T2600 vs Pentium Dual Core T2390 Technical Specifications

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

Core Duo T2600

The Core Duo T2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 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: 1,765 points. Launch price was $440.

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core Duo T2600 and Pentium Dual Core T2390 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.16 GHz on the Core Duo T2600 versus 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core Duo T2600. The Core Duo T2600 uses the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core Duo T2600 scores 1,765 against the Pentium Dual Core T2390's 1,771 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2390.

Feature	Core Duo T2600	Pentium Dual Core T2390
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.16 GHz+16%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	2.16 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	2 MB+100%	1 MB
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	Yonah (2005−2006)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,765	1,771