Core i5-5200U vs Core 2 Duo SP9300

Core i5-5200U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo SP9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-5200U

2 / 4

2,503

0.0%

2,517

+0.6%

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

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 i5-5200U is positioned at rank 446 and the Core 2 Duo SP9300 is on rank 535, so the Core i5-5200U 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 i5-5200U

#434

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

586%

#435

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

578%

#436

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

530%

#437

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

528%

#438

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

523%

#440

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

505%

#441

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

484%

#442

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

483%

#443

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

470%

#446

Core i5-5200U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9300

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

99%

#523

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

699%

#524

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

689%

#525

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

633%

#526

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

630%

#527

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

624%

#529

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

603%

#530

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

578%

#531

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

577%

#532

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

561%

#535

Core 2 Duo SP9300

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#549

Celeron Dual-Core T1500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $49

97%

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 i5-5200U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-5200U	Core 2 Duo SP9300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-5200U	Core 2 Duo SP9300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-5200U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo SP9300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5200U and Core 2 Duo SP9300

Core i5-5200U

The Core i5-5200U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,503 points. Launch price was $281.

Core 2 Duo SP9300

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,517 points. Launch price was $284.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-5200U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SP9300's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-5200U versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-5200U (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i5-5200U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5200U scores 2,503 against the Core 2 Duo SP9300's 2,517 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5200U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300.

Feature	Core i5-5200U	Core 2 Duo SP9300
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+19%	2.26 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.26 GHz+3%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,503	2,517

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5200U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5200U	Core 2 Duo SP9300
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0