Core i7-920 vs Core 2 Duo SP9600
Core i7-920
Core 2 Duo SP9600
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 i7-920 is positioned at rank 997 and the Core 2 Duo SP9600 is on rank 138, so the Core 2 Duo SP9600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-920
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-920 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($79) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-920 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+304%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($79) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
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 i7-920 and Core 2 Duo SP9600
Core i7-920
The Core i7-920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,866 points. Launch price was $340.
Core 2 Duo SP9600
The Core 2 Duo SP9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 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: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Core i7-920 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-920 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-920 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-920 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-920 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-920 scores 2,866 against the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2,836 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-920. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-920 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600.
| Feature | Core i7-920 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.93 GHz+16% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+5% | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB+2300% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,866+1% | 2,836 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-920 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-920 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | BGA479 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-920 launched at $284 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 debuted at $316.
| Feature | Core i7-920 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $284-10% | $316 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $79 | — |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2009 |
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