A8-8600P vs Core 2 Duo P8400

A8-8600P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

A8-8600P

4 / 4

2,464

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 / 2

2,497

+1.3%

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 A8-8600P is positioned at rank 948 and the Core 2 Duo P8400 is on rank 33, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 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 A8-8600P

#936

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1786%

#937

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1760%

#938

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1615%

#939

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1608%

#940

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1593%

#942

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1539%

#943

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1475%

#944

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1473%

#945

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1433%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

100%

#949

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

100%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

98%

#956

Core i7-4810MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#959

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

97%

#960

Celeron 4305UE

MSRP: $107|Avg: $107

97%

#963

Core i7-10510U

MSRP: $409|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8400

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

86%

#21

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

176%

#22

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

174%

#23

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

159%

#24

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

159%

#25

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

157%

#27

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

152%

#28

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

146%

#29

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

145%

#30

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

141%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

93%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

92%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

90%

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 A8-8600P (2015) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR3-2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	A8-8600P	Core 2 Duo P8400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	A8-8600P	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+204%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($10)

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.

A8-8600P Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of A8-8600P and Core 2 Duo P8400

A8-8600P

The A8-8600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,464 points. Launch price was $90.

Core 2 Duo P8400

The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The A8-8600P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the A8-8600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-8600P versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 28.1% clock advantage for the A8-8600P (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The A8-8600P uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-8600P scores 2,464 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400.

Feature	A8-8600P	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+33%	2.26 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.26 GHz+41%
L3 Cache	—	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2048 kB	3 MB+50%
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,464	2,497+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,160	—
Geekbench 6 Single	499	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,300	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The A8-8600P uses the FP4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-2133 on the A8-8600P versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — the Core 2 Duo P8400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-8600P supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (A8-8600P) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo P8400) — the A8-8600P offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SoC (A8-8600P) and GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400).

Feature	A8-8600P	Core 2 Duo P8400
Socket	FP4	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-2133	1066+35433%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+209715100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (A8-8600P) vs true (Core 2 Duo P8400). The A8-8600P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R6), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-8600P targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-8600P rivals Core i5-5200U; Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	A8-8600P	Core 2 Duo P8400
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Radeon R6	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	true
Target Use	Legacy Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The A8-8600P launched at $150 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 debuted at $209. At current prices ($30 vs $10), the Core 2 Duo P8400 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the A8-8600P delivers 82.1 pts/$ vs 249.7 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo P8400 — making the Core 2 Duo P8400 the 101% better value option.