Core i5-2540M vs Core 2 Duo T6600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2540M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2540M

2 / 4

2,356

0.0%

2,355

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 i5-2540M is positioned at rank 8 and the Core 2 Duo T6600 is on rank 13, so the Core i5-2540M 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 i5-2540M

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

112%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

110%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

101%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

101%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

100%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

97%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

93%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

92%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

90%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

83%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

82%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

81%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

73%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

70%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2540M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T6600 in both compute-intensive tasks (0% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-2540M	Core 2 Duo T6600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($4)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo T6600 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $4 (vs $10), it costs 60% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 150% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2540M.

Insight	Core i5-2540M	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+150%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($4)

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 i5-2540M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T6600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2540M and Core 2 Duo T6600

Core i5-2540M

The Core i5-2540M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,356 points. Launch price was $266.

Core 2 Duo T6600

The Core 2 Duo T6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-2540M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2540M versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 — a 40% clock advantage for the Core i5-2540M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-2540M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2540M scores 2,356 against the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2,355 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-2540M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2540M vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+18%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,356	2,355
Geekbench 6 Single	—	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	350

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i5-2540M versus DDR3-800 on the Core 2 Duo T6600 — the Core i5-2540M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2540M supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2540M) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo T6600) — the Core i5-2540M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2540M) and GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T6600).

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core 2 Duo T6600
Socket	PGA988	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	16	8 GB+52428700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-2540M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600). The Core i5-2540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2540M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core 2 Duo T6600
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At current prices ($10 vs $4), the Core 2 Duo T6600 is $6 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2540M delivers 235.6 pts/$ vs 588.8 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T6600 — making the Core 2 Duo T6600 the 85.7% better value option.