Core i5-5257U vs Core 2 Duo SP9600

CPU

GPU

Core i5-5257U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo SP9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-5257U

2 / 4

2,837

0.0%

2,836

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 i5-5257U is positioned at rank 725 and the Core 2 Duo SP9600 is on rank 138, so the Core 2 Duo SP9600 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 i5-5257U

#713

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1034%

#714

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1019%

#715

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

935%

#716

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

931%

#717

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

923%

#719

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

891%

#720

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

854%

#721

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

853%

#722

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

830%

#725

Core i5-5257U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9600

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

98%

#126

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

310%

#127

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

306%

#128

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

281%

#129

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

279%

#130

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

277%

#132

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

267%

#133

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

256%

#134

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

256%

#135

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

249%

#138

Core 2 Duo SP9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

100%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

99%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

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 i5-5257U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-5257U	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-5257U	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($316)

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 i5-5257U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo SP9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5257U and Core 2 Duo SP9600

Core i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 points. Launch price was $315.

Core 2 Duo SP9600

The Core 2 Duo SP9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-5257U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-5257U versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — a 20.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-5257U (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i5-5257U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5257U scores 2,837 against the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2,836 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-5257U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5257U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+23%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+7%	2.53 GHz
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	2,837	2,836
Geekbench 6 Single	950	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,900	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5257U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Core 2 Duo SP9600
Socket	FCBGA1168	BGA479
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3 1866 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-5257U) / not specified (Core 2 Duo SP9600). The Core i5-5257U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 6100), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5257U targets Mobile.