Core i3-2370M vs Core 2 Duo E6550

CPU

GPU

Core i3-2370M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012

Core 2 Duo E6550

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.33 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-2370M

2 / 4

1,370

0.0%

1,395

+1.8%

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 i3-2370M is positioned at rank 1186 and the Core 2 Duo E6550 is on rank 1022, so the Core 2 Duo E6550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 i3-2370M

#1174

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4818%

#1175

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4747%

#1176

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4358%

#1177

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4338%

#1178

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4299%

#1180

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4151%

#1181

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3980%

#1182

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3974%

#1183

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3867%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

99%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

99%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

99%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

96%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

93%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

92%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

92%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

90%

#1199

Celeron 560

MSRP: $89|Avg: $5

88%

#1200

Core i3-2312M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

87%

#1201

Celeron 857

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6550

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

36415%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

34409%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24984%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7527%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5962%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5215%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2987%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2948%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2684%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2684%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2654%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2582%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2546%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2536%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2513%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

90%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

100%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

98%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

98%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

97%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

94%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

94%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

94%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

94%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

93%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

91%

#1033

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

91%

#1035

PRO A10-8770E

MSRP: $395|Avg: $210

89%

#1036

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

89%

#1037

Athlon 64 X2 5800+

MSRP: $230|Avg: $20

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-2370M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo E6550 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-2370M	Core 2 Duo E6550
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo E6550 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 91% cheaper ($20 vs $225) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-2370M	Core 2 Duo E6550
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1046%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($20)

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 i3-2370M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo E6550 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-2370M and Core 2 Duo E6550

Core i3-2370M

The Core i3-2370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,370 points. Launch price was $225.

Core 2 Duo E6550

The Core 2 Duo E6550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,395 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-2370M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo E6550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-2370M versus 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6550 — a 3% clock advantage for the Core i3-2370M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.33 GHz). The Core i3-2370M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E6550 uses Conroe (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2370M scores 1,370 against the Core 2 Duo E6550's 1,395 — a 1.8% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6550. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2370M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6550.

Feature	Core i3-2370M	Core 2 Duo E6550
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+3%	2.33 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+3%	2.33 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Conroe (2006−2007)
PassMark	1,370	1,395+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	412	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	711	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-2370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E6550 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2370M versus 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E6550 — the Core 2 Duo E6550 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i3-2370M) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E6550).

Feature	Core i3-2370M	Core 2 Duo E6550
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+104857500%	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2370M) vs true (Core 2 Duo E6550). The Core i3-2370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo E6550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2370M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6550 rivals Athlon 64 X2 6000+.