Athlon II X2 220 vs Core 2 Duo E8300

CPU

GPU

Athlon II X2 220

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Core 2 Duo E8300

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.83 GHz2008

Similar parts

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Athlon II X2 220 vs Core 2 Duo E8300 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 220

2 / 2

1,046

+0.7%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo E8300

2 / 2

1,039

0.0%

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.

Athlon II X2 220 vs Core 2 Duo E8300 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Athlon II X2 220 vs Core 2 Duo E8300: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Athlon II X2 220

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $131 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
✅Delivers 412.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (285 vs 345).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (500 vs 771).

Core 2 Duo E8300

2008

Why buy it

✅+21.1% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 32.7 PassMark/$ ($163 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8300 better than Athlon II X2 220?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E8300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 54.2% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo E8300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E8300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 54.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 2 Duo E8300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E8300 comes in 409.4% more expensive on MSRP at $163 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon II X2 220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 412.8% better value on paper (32.7 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Athlon II X2 220 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 220 vs Core 2 Duo E8300 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Athlon II X2 220

The Athlon II X2 220 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 21 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,046 points. Launch price was $32.

Core 2 Duo E8300

The Core 2 Duo E8300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 2.83 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,039 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 220 and Core 2 Duo E8300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 220 versus 2.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8300 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Athlon II X2 220 uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 220 scores 1,046 against the Core 2 Duo E8300's 1,039 — a 0.7% lead for the Athlon II X2 220. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 285 vs 345, a 19% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 500 vs 771 (42.6% advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300). Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Core 2 Duo E8300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	2.83 GHz+1%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.83 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	6 MB (total)+1100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,046	1,039
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,000
Geekbench 6 Single	285	345+21%
Geekbench 6 Multi	500	771+54%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 220 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 220) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E8300) — the Core 2 Duo E8300 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 220) and P35,P45,G33,G31 (Core 2 Duo E8300).

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Core 2 Duo E8300
Socket	AM3	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 220) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 220 rivals Pentium E5500.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Core 2 Duo E8300
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 220 was priced at $32, while the Core 2 Duo E8300 came in at $163. On launch pricing ($32 vs $163), Athlon II X2 220 was $131 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 220 delivers 32.7 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E8300 — making the Athlon II X2 220 the 134.7% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 220	Core 2 Duo E8300
MSRP	$32-80%	$163
Performance per Dollar	32.7+411%	6.4
Release Date	2010	2008

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