Core i7-3517UE
VS
Core 2 Duo T6670

Core i7-3517UE vs Core 2 Duo T6670

Intel

Core i7-3517UE

2 Cores4 Thrd17 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo T6670

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

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 i7-3517UE is positioned at rank 1154 and the Core 2 Duo T6670 is on rank 474, so the Core 2 Duo T6670 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 i7-3517UE

#1142
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4064%
#1143
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4004%
#1144
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3676%
#1145
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3659%
#1146
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3626%
#1148
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3501%
#1149
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
3357%
#1150
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
3352%
#1151
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3262%
#1154
Core i7-3517UE
MSRP: $330|Avg: $35
100%
#1155
Core M-5Y51
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
100%
#1156
Pentium N3530
MSRP: $161|Avg: $20
100%
#1157
Core i3-330E
MSRP: $177|Avg: $89
99%
#1159
Core i7-2640M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
98%
#1160
Core M-5Y71
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1162
Core i7-2620M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
97%
#1164
Celeron N3010
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
95%
#1165
Core i7-3537U
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
94%
#1166
Core M-5Y10c
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
94%
#1167
Core M-5Y10a
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
94%
#1168
Core M-5Y31
MSRP: $281|Avg: $30
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T6670

#462
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
620%
#463
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
611%
#464
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
561%
#465
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
559%
#466
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
553%
#468
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
534%
#469
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
512%
#470
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
512%
#471
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
498%
#474
Core 2 Duo T6670
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#488
Processor U300
MSRP: $193|Avg: $180
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-3517UE delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo T6670 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.8% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-3517UECore 2 Duo T6670
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-3517UECore 2 Duo T6670
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($35)
More affordable ($0)

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 i7-3517UE and Core 2 Duo T6670

Intel

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Core 2 Duo T6670

The Core 2 Duo T6670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,365 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

The Core i7-3517UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T6670's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6670 — a 24% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517UE (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-3517UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T6670 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517UE scores 2,384 against the Core 2 Duo T6670's 2,365 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6670.

FeatureCore i7-3517UECore 2 Duo T6670
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz+27%
2.2 GHz
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
2.2 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)+100%
2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
2 MB+700%
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
2,384
2,365
Geekbench 6 Single
252
Geekbench 6 Multi
252
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T6670 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-3517UECore 2 Duo T6670
Socket
BGA1023
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+173%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-3517UE) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6670). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6670 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T6670 rivals Core 2 Duo T6600.

FeatureCore i7-3517UECore 2 Duo T6670
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Budget