Core i7-620UM vs Core 2 Duo T9600

CPU

GPU

Core i7-620UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2010

Core 2 Duo T9600

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-620UM

2 / 4

1,091

+0.4%

1,087

0.0%

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 i7-620UM is positioned at rank 1228 and the Core 2 Duo T9600 is on rank 841, so the Core 2 Duo T9600 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 i7-620UM

#1216

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

7485%

#1217

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

7375%

#1218

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

6770%

#1219

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

6740%

#1220

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

6678%

#1222

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

6449%

#1223

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

6184%

#1224

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

6173%

#1225

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

6008%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

100%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

96%

#1231

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

85%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

72%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

60%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

55%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

53%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

52%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

47%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

43%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9600

#829

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1350%

#830

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1330%

#831

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1221%

#832

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1215%

#833

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1204%

#835

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1163%

#836

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1115%

#837

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1113%

#838

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1083%

#841

Core 2 Duo T9600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#852

Pentium P6300

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#854

E-350

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

97%

#856

Ryzen Embedded R1305G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T9600 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-620UM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-620UM	Core 2 Duo T9600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($278)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-620UM	Core 2 Duo T9600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($278)	✅ 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.

Core i7-620UM Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-620UM and Core 2 Duo T9600

Core i7-620UM

The Core i7-620UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.06 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $278.

Core 2 Duo T9600

The Core 2 Duo T9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,087 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-620UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T9600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core i7-620UM versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9600 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9600 (base: 1.06 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-620UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-620UM scores 1,091 against the Core 2 Duo T9600's 1,087 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-620UM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-620UM vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9600.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Core 2 Duo T9600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	2.8 GHz+31%
Base Clock	1.06 GHz	2.8 GHz+164%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,091	1,087
Geekbench 6 Single	350	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-620UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-620UM	Core 2 Duo T9600
Socket	BGA1288	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-620UM) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T9600). The Core i7-620UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo T9600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-620UM targets Ultra-Portable Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-620UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.