CPU
GPU
Core i3-370M
Core 2 Duo P9700
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 i3-370M is positioned at rank 570 and the Core 2 Duo P9700 is on rank 564, so the Core 2 Duo P9700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-370M
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-370M | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-370M | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i3-370M and Core 2 Duo P9700
Core i3-370M
The Core i3-370M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) 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: 1,170 points. Launch price was $245.
Core 2 Duo P9700
The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.
Processing Power
The Core i3-370M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P9700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-370M versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9700 — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9700 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i3-370M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-370M scores 1,170 against the Core 2 Duo P9700's 1,178 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo P9700. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-370M vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700.
| Feature | Core i3-370M | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.8 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.8 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,170 | 1,178 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 315 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 700 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-370M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-370M | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-370M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P9700). The Core i3-370M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-370M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-370M rivals AMD Athlon II P320.
| Feature | Core i3-370M | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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