Core i5-580M
VS
Core 2 Duo T7600

Core i5-580M vs Core 2 Duo T7600

Intel

Core i5-580M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2010
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T7600

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.33 GHz2006

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 i5-580M is positioned at rank 1215 and the Core 2 Duo T7600 is on rank 875, so the Core 2 Duo T7600 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 i5-580M

#1203
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
6364%
#1204
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
6271%
#1205
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5757%
#1206
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5731%
#1207
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
5679%
#1209
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
5484%
#1210
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
5258%
#1211
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
5249%
#1212
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
5108%
#1215
Core i5-580M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#1216
Core 2 Quad Q9000
MSRP: $348|Avg: $15
100%
#1217
Core i5-2537M
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
99%
#1218
Core i7-720QM
MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A
99%
#1219
Pentium U5400
MSRP: $289|Avg: $214
97%
#1220
Pentium T2330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $7
96%
#1221
Z-01
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
93%
#1222
Pentium T2310
MSRP: $150|Avg: $14
90%
#1223
Celeron SU2300
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
88%
#1224
Core i5-560UM
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
88%
#1225
Core i7-660UM
MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A
87%
#1226
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
87%
#1228
Core i7-620UM
MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A
85%
#1230
Celeron 570
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
82%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7600

#863
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1450%
#864
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1428%
#865
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1311%
#866
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1305%
#867
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1293%
#869
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1249%
#870
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1198%
#871
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1196%
#872
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1164%
#875
Core 2 Duo T7600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#877
Microsoft SQ1
MSRP: $300|Avg: $180
99%
#879
Core i5-6440HQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
99%
#883
Celeron Dual-Core T1600
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
99%
#884
Athlon II N330
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
99%
#889
Core i7-7820EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
98%
#890
Celeron 7305
MSRP: $128|Avg: $107
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-580M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T7600 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-580MCore 2 Duo T7600
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 (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-580MCore 2 Duo T7600
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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-580M and Core 2 Duo T7600

Intel

Core i5-580M

The Core i5-580M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 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: 1,983 points. Launch price was $266.

Intel

Core 2 Duo T7600

The Core 2 Duo T7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.33 GHz, with boost up to 2.33 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: 2,004 points. Launch price was $619.

Processing Power

The Core i5-580M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i5-580M versus 2.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7600 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-580M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.33 GHz). The Core i5-580M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7600 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-580M scores 1,983 against the Core 2 Duo T7600's 2,004 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7600. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-580M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7600.

FeatureCore i5-580MCore 2 Duo T7600
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.33 GHz+43%
2.33 GHz
Base Clock
2.66 GHz+14%
2.33 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
0 kB
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
4 MB+1500%
Process
32 nm-51%
65 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark
1,983
2,004+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
445
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-580M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i5-580M versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7600 — the Core i5-580M supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-580M supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,PM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i5-580M) and Socket P (Core 2 Duo T7600).

FeatureCore i5-580MCore 2 Duo T7600
Socket
PGA988
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066+50%
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB+100%
4 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-580M) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7600). The Core i5-580M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo T7600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-580M targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-580M rivals Phenom II X2 N660.

FeatureCore i5-580MCore 2 Duo T7600
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Laptop