Phenom X4 9600 vs Core Duo T2500
Phenom X4 9600
Core Duo T2500
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 9600 is positioned at rank 397 and the Core Duo T2500 is on rank 943, so the Phenom X4 9600 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 9600
Performance Per Dollar Core Duo T2500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9600 | Core Duo T2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yonah (2005−2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9600 | Core Duo T2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 9600 and Core Duo T2500
Phenom X4 9600
The Phenom X4 9600 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: 2.3 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: 1,607 points. Launch price was $149.
Core Duo T2500
The Core Duo T2500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Yonah (2005−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,621 points. Launch price was $120.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core Duo T2500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X4 9600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X4 9600 versus 2 GHz on the Core Duo T2500 — a 14% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9600. The Phenom X4 9600 uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core Duo T2500 uses Yonah (2005−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9600 scores 1,607 against the Core Duo T2500's 1,621 — a 0.9% lead for the Core Duo T2500. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9600 vs 0 kB on the Core Duo T2500.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600 | Core Duo T2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz+15% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2 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) | Yonah (2005−2006) |
| PassMark | 1,607 | 1,621 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9600 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core Duo T2500 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600 | Core Duo T2500 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom X4 9600) / VT-x (Core Duo T2500). Primary use case: Core Duo T2500 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600 | Core Duo T2500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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