Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Core Duo T2600

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 Pentium Dual Core T2390 is positioned at rank 863 and the Core Duo T2600 is on rank 350, so the Core Duo T2600 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 Pentium Dual Core T2390

#851

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1425%

#852

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1404%

#853

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1289%

#854

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1283%

#855

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1271%

#857

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1228%

#858

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1177%

#859

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1175%

#860

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1144%

#863

Pentium Dual Core T2390

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

100%

#867

Core i7-1160G7

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#873

Celeron M 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

98%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Duo T2600

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

100%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

99%

#107

Core Ultra 5 228V

MSRP: $295|Avg: $295

98%

#338

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

499%

#339

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

491%

#340

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

451%

#341

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

449%

#342

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

445%

#344

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

430%

#345

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

412%

#346

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

411%

#347

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

400%

#350

Core Duo T2600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core Duo T2600 leads in gaming performance. However, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Core Duo T2600
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (NetBurst (2000−2006) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Yonah (2005−2006) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Core Duo T2600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($5)	✅ 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.

Pentium Dual Core T2390 Benchmark Check

Core Duo T2600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Dual Core T2390 and Core Duo T2600

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

Core Duo T2600

The Core Duo T2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 January 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 31 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,765 points. Launch price was $440.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Pentium Dual Core T2390 and Core Duo T2600 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 2.16 GHz on the Core Duo T2600 — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Core Duo T2600. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Core Duo T2600 uses Yonah (2005−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Core Duo T2600's 1,765 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2390.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Core Duo T2600
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.16 GHz+16%
Base Clock	—	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%
Process	65 nm	65 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Yonah (2005−2006)
PassMark	1,771	1,765