Core i3-4130T vs Core 2 Duo SP9600

Core i3-4130T

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4130T

2 / 4

2,876

+1.4%

2,836

0.0%

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 i3-4130T is positioned at rank 723 and the Core 2 Duo SP9600 is on rank 138, so the Core 2 Duo SP9600 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 i3-4130T

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

13442%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

12701%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9222%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2778%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2201%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1925%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1103%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1088%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

991%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

991%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

980%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

953%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

940%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

936%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

928%

#723

Core i3-4130T

MSRP: $124|Avg: $10

100%

#724

Celeron E3300

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

100%

#725

Core i7-6700T

MSRP: $303|Avg: $60

100%

#726

Core i7-4790K

MSRP: $350|Avg: $93

99%

#727

Celeron E3400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $15

99%

#728

FX-4100

MSRP: $115|Avg: $20

99%

#729

Core i5-7440EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $30

98%

#730

Core i5-3350P

MSRP: $189|Avg: $25

98%

#732

Core i3-4350T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $20

98%

#733

Athlon II X4 641

MSRP: $102|Avg: $102

98%

#734

Athlon II X3 460

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

97%

#735

Pentium G2100T

MSRP: $75|Avg: $10

97%

#736

Core i5-3330

MSRP: $182|Avg: $21

97%

#737

Core i3-4330T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

97%

#738

Pentium E5300

MSRP: $62|Avg: $25

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9600

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

98%

#126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

310%

#127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

306%

#128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

281%

#129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

279%

#130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

277%

#132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

267%

#133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

256%

#134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

256%

#135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

249%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

100%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

99%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-4130T delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo SP9600 in both compute-intensive tasks (1.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i3-4130T	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-4130T stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 97% cheaper ($10 vs $316) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-4130T	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+3105%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)

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 i3-4130T Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo SP9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4130T and Core 2 Duo SP9600

Core i3-4130T

The Core i3-4130T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,876 points. Launch price was $270.

Core 2 Duo SP9600

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-4130T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i3-4130T versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Core i3-4130T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i3-4130T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4130T scores 2,876 against the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2,836 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-4130T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4130T vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+15%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+15%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,876+1%	2,836
Geekbench 6 Single	890	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4130T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-4130T	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Socket	LGA1150	BGA479
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-4130T) / not specified (Core 2 Duo SP9600). The Core i3-4130T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4130T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4130T rivals A8-7600.