Athlon II X2 210e vs Core 2 Duo E4400
Athlon II X2 210e
Core 2 Duo E4400
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 Athlon II X2 210e is positioned at rank 837 and the Core 2 Duo E4400 is on rank 1001, so the Athlon II X2 210e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 210e
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($28) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+41%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($28) | ✅ More affordable ($20) |
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 Athlon II X2 210e and Core 2 Duo E4400
Athlon II X2 210e
The Athlon II X2 210e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,089 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Duo E4400
The Core 2 Duo E4400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) 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: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X2 210e and Core 2 Duo E4400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X2 210e versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4400 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 210e (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Athlon II X2 210e uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4400 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 210e scores 1,089 against the Core 2 Duo E4400's 1,095 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+30% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+30% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 2 MB+300% |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Regor (2009−2013) | Allendale (2006−2009) |
| PassMark | 1,089 | 1,095 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 208 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X2 210e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E4400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 210e versus DDR2-1066 on the Core 2 Duo E4400 — the Athlon II X2 210e supports 199.4% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 210e) and RS600,Q965 (Core 2 Duo E4400).
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+66550% | DDR2-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 210e) vs None (Core 2 Duo E4400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E4400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 210e rivals Pentium E5300; Core 2 Duo E4400 rivals Athlon II X2 240.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | None |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X2 210e launched at $60 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo E4400 debuted at $113. At current prices ($28 vs $20), the Core 2 Duo E4400 is $8 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 210e delivers 38.9 pts/$ vs 54.8 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E4400 — making the Core 2 Duo E4400 the 33.9% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X2 210e | Core 2 Duo E4400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $60-47% | $113 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $28 | $20-29% |
| Performance per Dollar | 38.9 | 54.8+41% |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2007 |
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