Phenom X4 9600B vs Core 2 Duo T5550
Phenom X4 9600B
Core 2 Duo T5550
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 9600B is positioned at rank 1055 and the Core 2 Duo T5550 is on rank 23, so the Core 2 Duo T5550 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 9600B
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T5550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+297%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) | ✅ More affordable ($5) |
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 9600B and Core 2 Duo T5550
Phenom X4 9600B
The Phenom X4 9600B 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: 1,842 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Duo T5550
The Core 2 Duo T5550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. 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: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,826 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9600B packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T5550 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X4 9600B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X4 9600B versus 1.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5550 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9600B. The Phenom X4 9600B uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9600B scores 1,842 against the Core 2 Duo T5550's 1,826 — a 0.9% lead for the Phenom X4 9600B. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9600B vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T5550.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz+26% | 1.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.83 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 65 nm | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Agena (2007−2008) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,842 | 1,826 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9600B uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (Phenom X4 9600B) / not specified (Core 2 Duo T5550). Primary use case: Phenom X4 9600B targets Business.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Business | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($20 vs $5), the Core 2 Duo T5550 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Phenom X4 9600B delivers 92.1 pts/$ vs 365.2 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T5550 — making the Core 2 Duo T5550 the 119.4% better value option.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9600B | Core 2 Duo T5550 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $278 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20 | $5-75% |
| Performance per Dollar | 92.1 | 365.2+297% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2008 |
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