Core i7-5500U vs Core 2 Duo P8700
Core i7-5500U
Core 2 Duo P8700
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 i7-5500U is positioned at rank 733 and the Core 2 Duo P8700 is on rank 140, so the Core 2 Duo P8700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5500U
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-5500U | Core 2 Duo P8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-5500U | Core 2 Duo P8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($85) |
Performance Check
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 i7-5500U and Core 2 Duo P8700
Core i7-5500U
The Core i7-5500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.
Core 2 Duo P8700
The Core 2 Duo P8700 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 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The Core i7-5500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — a 17% clock advantage for the Core i7-5500U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-5500U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5500U scores 2,807 against the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2,805 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-5500U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5500U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700.
| Feature | Core i7-5500U | Core 2 Duo P8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+19% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.53 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 3 MB+1100% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-U (2015) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,807 | 2,805 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 956 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,933 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-5500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 on the Core i7-5500U versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — the Core 2 Duo P8700 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-5500U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i7-5500U) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo P8700) — the Core i7-5500U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Broadwell-U SoC (Core i7-5500U) and GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8700).
| Feature | Core i7-5500U | Core 2 Duo P8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600 | 1066+35433% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+209715100% | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Core i7-5500U) vs true (Core 2 Duo P8700). The Core i7-5500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.
| Feature | Core i7-5500U | Core 2 Duo P8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 5500 | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x / VT-d / EPT | true |
| Target Use | Ultrabook | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-5500U and Core 2 Duo P8700
