
Core i5-2557M vs Pentium Dual Core T2370

Core i5-2557M

Pentium Dual Core T2370
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 i5-2557M is positioned at rank 36 and the Pentium Dual Core T2370 is on rank 1059, so the Core i5-2557M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2557M
Performance Per Dollar Pentium Dual Core T2370
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Pentium Dual Core T2370 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Pentium Dual Core T2370 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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 i5-2557M and Pentium Dual Core T2370

Core i5-2557M
The Core i5-2557M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 1,618 points. Launch price was $250.

Pentium Dual Core T2370
The Pentium Dual Core T2370 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.73 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,601 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2557M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual Core T2370's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M versus 1.73 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2370 — a 43.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M. The Core i5-2557M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core T2370 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2557M scores 1,618 against the Pentium Dual Core T2370's 1,601 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-2557M.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Pentium Dual Core T2370 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+56% | 1.73 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | NetBurst (2000−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,618+1% | 1,601 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 521 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 882 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2557M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual Core T2370 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2557M versus DDR2-667 on the Pentium Dual Core T2370 — the Core i5-2557M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-2557M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2557M) vs 0 (Pentium Dual Core T2370) — the Core i5-2557M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Pentium Dual Core T2370 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+100% | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M) vs No VT-x (Pentium Dual Core T2370). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Dual Core T2370 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget, Pentium Dual Core T2370 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Pentium Dual Core T2370 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | No VT-x |
| Target Use | Budget | Mobile |
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