Core i3-5010U vs Core 2 Duo SL9400

CPU

GPU

Core i3-5010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 1.86 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-5010U

2 / 4

2,157

+0.6%

2,144

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 i3-5010U is positioned at rank 521 and the Core 2 Duo SL9400 is on rank 1147, so the Core i3-5010U 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 i3-5010U

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#509

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#510

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#511

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#512

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

612%

#513

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#515

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#516

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#517

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#518

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#521

Core i3-5010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9400

#1135

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3886%

#1136

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3829%

#1137

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3515%

#1138

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3499%

#1139

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3467%

#1141

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3348%

#1142

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3211%

#1143

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3205%

#1144

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3119%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

100%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

99%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

98%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

97%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1155

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

96%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

95%

#1157

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

94%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

93%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-5010U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-5010U	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($284)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-5010U	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($284)

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 i3-5010U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo SL9400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-5010U and Core 2 Duo SL9400

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

Core 2 Duo SL9400

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-5010U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-5010U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Core i3-5010U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5010U scores 2,157 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-5010U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz+13%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+13%	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,157	2,144
Geekbench 6 Single	737	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5010U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. The Core i3-5010U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i3-5010U) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo SL9400) — the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	16+33%

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.