Core i7-4550U vs Core 2 Duo T8100

CPU

GPU

Core i7-4550U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-4550U

2 / 4

2,307

0.0%

2,320

+0.6%

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 i7-4550U is positioned at rank 145 and the Core 2 Duo T8100 is on rank 38, so the Core 2 Duo T8100 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 i7-4550U

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

95%

#133

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

318%

#134

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

313%

#135

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

288%

#136

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

286%

#137

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

284%

#139

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

274%

#140

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

263%

#141

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

262%

#142

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

255%

#145

Core i7-4550U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

99%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T8100

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

92%

#26

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

190%

#27

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

187%

#28

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

172%

#29

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

171%

#30

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

169%

#32

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

163%

#33

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

157%

#34

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

156%

#35

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

152%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

99%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

97%

#51

Celeron N2807

MSRP: $107|Avg: $60

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-4550U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T8100 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-4550U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-4550U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

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 i7-4550U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T8100 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

No prediction data available

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4550U and Core 2 Duo T8100

Core i7-4550U

The Core i7-4550U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,307 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo T8100

The Core 2 Duo T8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,320 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-4550U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T8100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-4550U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8100 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4550U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-4550U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4550U scores 2,307 against the Core 2 Duo T8100's 2,320 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo T8100. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4550U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8100.

Feature	Core i7-4550U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+43%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.1 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	3 MB+1100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell-ULT (2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,307	2,320
Geekbench 6 Single	—	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4550U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4550U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	4 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4550U) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T8100). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T8100 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T8100 rivals Core 2 Duo T7250.