Phenom X4 9500 vs Core 2 Duo T5600
Phenom X4 9500
Core 2 Duo T5600
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 Phenom X4 9500 is positioned at rank 1061 and the Core 2 Duo T5600 is on rank 1179, so the Phenom X4 9500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X4 9500
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9500 | Core 2 Duo T5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($241) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9500 | Core 2 Duo T5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+705%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($241) |
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 Phenom X4 9500 and Core 2 Duo T5600
Phenom X4 9500
The Phenom X4 9500 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,564 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Duo T5600
The Core 2 Duo T5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 July 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.83 GHz, with boost up to 1.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,560 points. Launch price was $241.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T5600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X4 9500 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9500 versus 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5600 — a 18.4% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9500. The Phenom X4 9500 uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5600 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9500 scores 1,564 against the Core 2 Duo T5600's 1,560 — a 0.3% lead for the Phenom X4 9500. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9500 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T5600.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9500 | Core 2 Duo T5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz+20% | 1.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.83 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 65 nm | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Agena (2007−2008) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,564 | 1,560 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9500 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9500 | Core 2 Duo T5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Value Analysis
The Phenom X4 9500 launched at $247 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo T5600 debuted at $241.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9500 | Core 2 Duo T5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $247 | $241-2% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | — |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2006 |
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