Core i7-5550U vs Core 2 Duo P8700

Core i7-5550U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-5550U

2 / 4

2,780

0.0%

2,805

+0.9%

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 i7-5550U is positioned at rank 485 and the Core 2 Duo P8700 is on rank 140, so the Core 2 Duo P8700 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 i7-5550U

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

99%

#473

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

633%

#474

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

624%

#475

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

573%

#476

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

570%

#477

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

565%

#479

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

546%

#480

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

523%

#481

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

522%

#482

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

508%

#485

Core i7-5550U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8700

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

99%

#128

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

314%

#129

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

309%

#130

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

284%

#131

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

283%

#132

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

280%

#134

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

270%

#135

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

259%

#136

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

259%

#137

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

252%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

100%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-5550U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-5550U	Core 2 Duo P8700
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($85)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8700 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-5550U	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($85)

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 i7-5550U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-5550U and Core 2 Duo P8700

Core i7-5550U

The Core i7-5550U 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 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: 2,780 points. Launch price was $426.

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 i7-5550U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5550U versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — a 17% clock advantage for the Core i7-5550U (base: 2 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-5550U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5550U scores 2,780 against the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2,805 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8700. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5550U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700.

Feature	Core i7-5550U	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+19%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.53 GHz+26%
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	2,780	2,805

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5550U 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.