Core i5-2537M vs Core 2 Duo E7600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2537M

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2011

Core 2 Duo E7600

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 0.07 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2537M

2 / 4

1,144

0.0%

1,150

+0.5%

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 i5-2537M is positioned at rank 1217 and the Core 2 Duo E7600 is on rank 1019, so the Core 2 Duo E7600 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 i5-2537M

#1205

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6406%

#1206

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

6312%

#1207

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5795%

#1208

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5769%

#1209

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5716%

#1211

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5520%

#1212

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5293%

#1213

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5284%

#1214

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5142%

#1217

Core i5-2537M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

99%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

97%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

97%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

91%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

89%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

89%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

88%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

88%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

86%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

82%

#1232

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

73%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E7600

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

36036%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

34051%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24724%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7448%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5900%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5161%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2956%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2917%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2656%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2656%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2626%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2556%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2520%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2510%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2487%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

89%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

100%

#1020

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

100%

#1021

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

100%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

99%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

97%

#1024

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

97%

#1025

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

96%

#1027

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

93%

#1028

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

93%

#1029

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

93%

#1030

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

93%

#1031

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

92%

#1032

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

90%

#1033

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-2537M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo E7600 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-2537M	Core 2 Duo E7600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo E7600 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($50 vs $250) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-2537M	Core 2 Duo E7600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+403%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($50)

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 i5-2537M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo E7600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2537M and Core 2 Duo E7600

Core i5-2537M

The Core i5-2537M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $250.

Core 2 Duo E7600

The Core 2 Duo E7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 3 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,150 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2537M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo E7600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-2537M versus 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7600 — a 188.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2537M (base: 1.4 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i5-2537M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E7600 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2537M scores 1,144 against the Core 2 Duo E7600's 1,150 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E7600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 427 vs 422, a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-2537M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 717 vs 690 (3.8% advantage for the Core i5-2537M). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2537M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E7600.

Feature	Core i5-2537M	Core 2 Duo E7600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+3186%	0.07 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	3.06 GHz+119%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	3 MB (total)+1100%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,144	1,150
Geekbench 6 Single	427+1%	422
Geekbench 6 Multi	717+4%	690

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2537M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E7600 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2537M versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo E7600 — the Core i5-2537M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS57,QS67,UM67 (Core i5-2537M) and P45,P43,G45,G43,P35,G33 (Core 2 Duo E7600).

Feature	Core i5-2537M	Core 2 Duo E7600
Socket	BGA1023	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16	16 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2537M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo E7600). The Core i5-2537M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo E7600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E7600 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2537M rivals Core i5-2410M; Core 2 Duo E7600 rivals Athlon II X2 250.