Intel Core 2 Duo P7550 vs Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 vs Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600
Intel Core 2 Duo P7550
► remove from comparisonThe Intel Core 2 Duo P7550 is a dual core processor for laptops. It features 2.26 GHz and a shared level 2 cache of 3 MB. It is an OEM CPU and similar to the Core 2 Duo P8400 (additional Trusted Execution Technology, and VT-x) and Core 2 Duo P7570.
The performance of the P7550 is on par with the fast Turion II Ultra with about 2.4 to 2.6 GHz. Modern demanding games like Supreme Commander may be limited by the CPU performance. High end gamers should choose a higher clocked Core 2 Duo (or Core i5 / i7).
The P7550 uses a Penryn (Montevina Update) core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.
The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically as low as 800 MHz to save power (in idle mode).
Intel Core 2 Duo P9700
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The Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 is a high end dual core CPU for laptops (at the time of introduction). It is the fastest Core 2 Duo P-model and the performance is comparable to the Core 2 Duo T9600. Still the TDP rating is considerably better (28 versus 35 Watt).
Due to the high clock speed, the P9700 offers enough performance for demanding games (in 2009) and applications.
The P9700 uses a Penryn core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.
The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically (in idle mode).
The Core 2 Duo P9700 can be used in a Socket P socket with 479 pins.
Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600
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The Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 is a upper middle class dual core CPU for laptops, at the time of introduction. The SP9600 is basically a Core 2 Duo P9500 produced in a BGA Package for direct soldering on the mainboard. The package of the chip is therefore smaller and more suited for thin laptops. The power consumption is similar to the P9500.
Due to the relatively high clock speed and 6MB Level 2 cache, the SP9600 offers enough performance for most demanding games (in 2009) and applications.
The SP9600 uses a Penryn (Montevina Update) core that features 2 integer units, 1 floating point unit, 1 load unit, and 1 store unit in a 14-stages long pipeline. Due to the Wide Dynamic Execution Technology, the core is able to simultaneously execute up to four instructions.
The integrated Enhanced Speedstep is able to downclock the core dynamically to save power (in idle mode).
Benchmarks
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo P7550 → 100% n=11
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo P9700 → 122% n=11
Average Benchmarks Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600 → 113% n=11

* Smaller numbers mean a higher performance
1 This benchmark is not used for the average calculation