Core i5-540M vs Core 2 Duo T9550

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 i5-540M is positioned at rank 432 and the Core 2 Duo T9550 is on rank 342, so the Core 2 Duo T9550 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 i5-540M

#419

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

572%

#420

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

563%

#421

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

517%

#422

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

515%

#423

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

510%

#425

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

493%

#426

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

472%

#427

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

472%

#428

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

459%

#432

Core i5-540M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9550

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

98%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

96%

#330

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

488%

#331

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

481%

#332

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

441%

#333

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

439%

#334

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

435%

#336

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

420%

#337

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

403%

#338

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

402%

#339

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

392%

#342

Core 2 Duo T9550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-540M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T9550 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-540M	Core 2 Duo T9550
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-540M	Core 2 Duo T9550
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 i5-540M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9550 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-540M and Core 2 Duo T9550

Core i5-540M

The Core i5-540M 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.07 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,796 points. Launch price was $257.

Core 2 Duo T9550

The Core 2 Duo T9550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,804 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-540M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T9550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.07 GHz on the Core i5-540M versus 2.66 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9550 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-540M (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-540M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9550 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-540M scores 1,796 against the Core 2 Duo T9550's 1,804 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9550. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-540M vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9550.

Feature	Core i5-540M	Core 2 Duo T9550
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.07 GHz+15%	2.66 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,796	1,804
Geekbench 6 Single	300	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-540M	Core 2 Duo T9550
Socket	PGA988	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-540M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T9550). The Core i5-540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo T9550 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-540M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.