Core i5-3230M vs Core 2 Duo T7700

Core i5-3230M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo T7700

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3230M

2 / 4

2,565

+0.4%

2,554

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 i5-3230M is positioned at rank 30 and the Core 2 Duo T7700 is on rank 484, so the Core i5-3230M 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 i5-3230M

#18

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

172%

#19

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

169%

#20

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#21

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

155%

#22

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

153%

#24

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

148%

#25

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

142%

#26

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

142%

#27

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

138%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

100%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

99%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

89%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

87%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7700

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

98%

#472

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

632%

#473

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

623%

#474

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

571%

#475

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

569%

#476

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

564%

#478

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

544%

#479

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

522%

#480

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

521%

#481

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

507%

#484

Core 2 Duo T7700

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

99%

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 i5-3230M (2013) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core 2 Duo T7700
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7700 (2007) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-3230M	Core 2 Duo T7700
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($13)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 i5-3230M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T7700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3230M and Core 2 Duo T7700

Core i5-3230M

The Core i5-3230M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,565 points. Launch price was $225.

Core 2 Duo T7700

The Core 2 Duo T7700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,554 points. Launch price was $307.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3230M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3230M versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7700 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-3230M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-3230M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7700 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3230M scores 2,565 against the Core 2 Duo T7700's 2,554 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-3230M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 565 vs 254, a 75.9% lead for the Core i5-3230M that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3230M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7700.

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core 2 Duo T7700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	2,565	2,554
Geekbench 6 Single	565+122%	254
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,128	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3230M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-3230M versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7700 — the Core i5-3230M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3230M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3230M) and GL960,GME965,GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7700).

Feature	Core i5-3230M	Core 2 Duo T7700
Socket	BGA1023	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+700%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3230M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7700). The Core i5-3230M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo T7700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3230M targets Gaming, Core 2 Duo T7700 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-3230M rivals Ryzen 5 3500U; Core 2 Duo T7700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.