CPU
GPU
Core i3-2105
Core 2 Duo T5550
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 i3-2105 is positioned at rank 935 and the Core 2 Duo T5550 is on rank 23, so the Core 2 Duo T5550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2105
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+496%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 i3-2105 and Core 2 Duo T5550
Core i3-2105
The Core i3-2105 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,837 points. Launch price was $145.
Core 2 Duo T5550
The Core 2 Duo T5550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.83 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,826 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2105 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T5550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2105 versus 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5550 — a 51.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-2105 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.83 GHz). The Core i3-2105 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2105 scores 1,837 against the Core 2 Duo T5550's 1,826 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-2105. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2105 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5550.
| Feature | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+69% | 1.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+69% | 1.83 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB+700% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,837 | 1,826 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2105 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-2105) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T5550). The Core i3-2105 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2105 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($30 vs $5), the Core 2 Duo T5550 is $25 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2105 delivers 61.2 pts/$ vs 365.2 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T5550 — making the Core 2 Duo T5550 the 142.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2105 | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $138 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $5-83% |
| Performance per Dollar | 61.2 | 365.2+497% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2008 |
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