Pentium Gold 5405U vs Core 2 Duo T6600

CPU

GPU

Pentium Gold 5405U

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2019

Core 2 Duo T6600

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium Gold 5405U

2 / 4

2,357

+0.1%

2,355

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 Pentium Gold 5405U is positioned at rank 476 and the Core 2 Duo T6600 is on rank 13, so the Core 2 Duo T6600 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 Gold 5405U

#464

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

622%

#465

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

613%

#466

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

563%

#467

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

560%

#468

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

555%

#470

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

536%

#471

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

514%

#472

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

513%

#473

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

500%

#476

Pentium Gold 5405U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T6600

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

125%

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

123%

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

113%

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

112%

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

111%

#10

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

107%

#11

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

103%

#12

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

103%

#13

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

100%

#17

Core i3-350M

MSRP: $130|Avg: $10

92%

#18

Atom x5-E8000

MSRP: $18|Avg: N/A

91%

#19

Core 2 Duo T5900

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

90%

#22

Core i3-3130M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

81%

#23

Core 2 Duo T5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5

78%

#24

Core 2 Duo T7100

MSRP: $197|Avg: $15

77%

#27

Pentium 2030M

MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A

74%

#28

Core 2 Duo T5750

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8

74%

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 Pentium Gold 5405U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Gold 5405U	Core 2 Duo T6600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($4)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T6600 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Gold 5405U	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($4)

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 Gold 5405U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T6600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold 5405U and Core 2 Duo T6600

Pentium Gold 5405U

The Pentium Gold 5405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,357 points. Launch price was $161.

Core 2 Duo T6600

The Core 2 Duo T6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,355 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 5405U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 5405U versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6600 — a 4.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 5405U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Pentium Gold 5405U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 5405U scores 2,357 against the Core 2 Duo T6600's 2,355 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Gold 5405U. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold 5405U vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6600.

Feature	Pentium Gold 5405U	Core 2 Duo T6600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+5%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,357	2,355
Geekbench 6 Single	—	200
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	350

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold 5405U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T6600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Gold 5405U	Core 2 Duo T6600
Socket	FCBGA1528	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Gold 5405U) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6600 targets Legacy Laptop.