Core i5-520M vs Core 2 Duo T7200

CPU

GPU

Core i5-520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.93 GHz2010

Core 2 Duo T7200

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2 GHz2006

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-520M

2 / 4

1,727

+0.6%

1,717

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 i5-520M is positioned at rank 1139 and the Core 2 Duo T7200 is on rank 29, so the Core 2 Duo T7200 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 i5-520M

#1127

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3820%

#1128

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3764%

#1129

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3456%

#1130

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3440%

#1131

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3409%

#1133

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3292%

#1134

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3156%

#1135

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3151%

#1136

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3066%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

99%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

99%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

99%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

99%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

98%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

98%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

97%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

96%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

96%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

95%

#1154

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7200

#17

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

171%

#18

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

168%

#19

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

155%

#20

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

154%

#21

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

152%

#23

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

147%

#24

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

141%

#25

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

141%

#26

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

137%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

100%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

100%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

99%

#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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-520M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T7200 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.6% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i5-520M	Core 2 Duo T7200
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($6)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo T7200 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $6 (vs $225), it costs 97% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 3628% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-520M.

Insight	Core i5-520M	Core 2 Duo T7200
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+3628%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($6)

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 i5-520M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T7200 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-520M and Core 2 Duo T7200

Core i5-520M

The Core i5-520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,727 points. Launch price was $225.

Core 2 Duo T7200

The Core 2 Duo T7200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,717 points. Launch price was $286.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7200's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-520M versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7200 — a 37.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-520M (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-520M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7200 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-520M scores 1,727 against the Core 2 Duo T7200's 1,717 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-520M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-520M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7200.

Feature	Core i5-520M	Core 2 Duo T7200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+47%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+20%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	4 MB+700%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	1,727	1,717
Geekbench 6 Single	360	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	695	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7200 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i5-520M versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7200 — the Core i5-520M supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-520M) and GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7200).

Feature	Core i5-520M	Core 2 Duo T7200
Socket	PGA988	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1066+53200%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-520M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7200). The Core i5-520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo T7200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7200 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i5-520M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660; Core 2 Duo T7200 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.