CPU
GPU
Core i5-2557M
Phenom X4 9600
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 Phenom X4 9600 is on rank 397, 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 Phenom X4 9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2557M | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Phenom X4 9600
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.
Phenom X4 9600
The Phenom X4 9600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,607 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2557M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Phenom X4 9600 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-2557M versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X4 9600 — a 16% clock advantage for the Core i5-2557M. The Core i5-2557M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X4 9600 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2557M scores 1,618 against the Phenom X4 9600's 1,607 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2557M. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2557M vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9600.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+17% | 2.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total)+50% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Agena (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,618 | 1,607 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 521 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 882 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2557M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X4 9600 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-2557M) / not specified (Phenom X4 9600). The Core i5-2557M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Phenom X4 9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2557M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-2557M rivals Ryzen 3 3200U.
| Feature | Core i5-2557M | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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