Core i7-720QM vs Core 2 Duo T9300

CPU

GPU

Core i7-720QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-720QM

4 / 8

1,658

0.0%

1,670

+0.7%

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 i7-720QM is positioned at rank 1218 and the Core 2 Duo T9300 is on rank 176, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 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 i7-720QM

#1206

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6448%

#1207

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

6354%

#1208

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5833%

#1209

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5807%

#1210

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5753%

#1212

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5556%

#1213

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5327%

#1214

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5319%

#1215

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5176%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

100%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

98%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

97%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

92%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

89%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

89%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

89%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

88%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

86%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

83%

#1232

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

73%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

62%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9300

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

351%

#165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

346%

#166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

318%

#167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

316%

#168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

314%

#170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

303%

#171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

290%

#172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

290%

#173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

282%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-720QM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T9300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-720QM	Core 2 Duo T9300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)	✅ More affordable ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo T9300 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 95% cheaper ($20 vs $364) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-720QM	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1733%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($364)	✅ More affordable ($20)

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 i7-720QM Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-720QM and Core 2 Duo T9300

Core i7-720QM

The Core i7-720QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $546.

Core 2 Duo T9300

The Core 2 Duo T9300 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-720QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-720QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-720QM versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — a 11.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-720QM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-720QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-720QM scores 1,658 against the Core 2 Duo T9300's 1,670 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-720QM vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300.

Feature	Core i7-720QM	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+12%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.5 GHz+56%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,658	1,670
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	432

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-720QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-720QM versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — the Core i7-720QM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-720QM) and GM965,PM965,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9300).

Feature	Core i7-720QM	Core 2 Duo T9300
Socket	PGA988	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333+44333%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-720QM) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-720QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000; Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.