Core i7-3517U vs Core 2 Duo T5900

CPU

GPU

Core i7-3517U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2012

Core 2 Duo T5900

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3517U

2 / 4

2,108

0.0%

2,123

+0.7%

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 i7-3517U is positioned at rank 340 and the Core 2 Duo T5900 is on rank 19, so the Core 2 Duo T5900 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 i7-3517U

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

97%

#328

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

487%

#329

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

480%

#330

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

441%

#331

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

439%

#332

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

435%

#334

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

420%

#335

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

402%

#336

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

402%

#337

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

391%

#340

Core i7-3517U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5900

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

138%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

136%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

125%

#10

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

124%

#11

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

123%

#13

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

119%

#14

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

114%

#15

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

114%

#16

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

111%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

100%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

90%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

86%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

86%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

82%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

82%

#29

Core 2 Duo T7200

MSRP: $286|Avg: $6

81%

#30

Core i5-3230M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $13

81%

#31

Atom D525

MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A

80%

#32

Atom x7835RE

MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A

80%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

78%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3517U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T5900 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-3517U	Core 2 Duo T5900
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-3517U	Core 2 Duo T5900
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)

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 i7-3517U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T5900 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3517U and Core 2 Duo T5900

Core i7-3517U

The Core i7-3517U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,108 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo T5900

The Core 2 Duo T5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,123 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3517U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T5900's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-3517U versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5900 — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517U. The Core i7-3517U uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517U scores 2,108 against the Core 2 Duo T5900's 2,123 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5900.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Core 2 Duo T5900
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	—
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	2,108	2,123

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517U uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3517U	Core 2 Duo T5900
Socket	BGA1023	P
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-3517U) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T5900). The Core i7-3517U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-3517U rivals AMD A10-4655M.