Athlon II X2 240e vs Core 2 Duo E4700

Athlon II X2 240e vs Core 2 Duo E4700 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X2 240e

2 / 2

1,007

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo E4700

2 / 2

1,011

+0.4%

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 240e vs Core 2 Duo E4700 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 240e vs Core 2 Duo E4700: 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 240e

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $56 less on MSRP ($77 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Delivers 72.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.1 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($77 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,007 vs 1,011).

Core 2 Duo E4700

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 13.1 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $77 MSRP).
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X2 240e better than Core 2 Duo E4700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X2 240e is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E4700 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E4700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon II X2 240e is the better buy right now. Athlon II X2 240e comes in $56 cheaper on MSRP at $77 MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E4700 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 72.0% better value on MSRP (13.1 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X2 240e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X2 240e vs Core 2 Duo E4700 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X2 240e

The Athlon II X2 240e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 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: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $35.

Core 2 Duo E4700

The Core 2 Duo E4700 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,011 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon II X2 240e and Core 2 Duo E4700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 240e versus 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 240e (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Athlon II X2 240e uses the Regor (2009−2013) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4700 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X2 240e scores 1,007 against the Core 2 Duo E4700's 1,011 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4700. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Athlon II X2 240e	Core 2 Duo E4700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	1 MB	2 MB+100%
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Regor (2009−2013)	Allendale (2006−2009)
PassMark	1,007	1,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X2 240e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E4700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Athlon II X2 240e versus 800 on the Core 2 Duo E4700 — the Athlon II X2 240e supports 66.6% 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. PCIe lanes: 0 (Athlon II X2 240e) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E4700) — the Core 2 Duo E4700 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 240e) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E4700).

Feature	Athlon II X2 240e	Core 2 Duo E4700
Socket	AM3	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333+67%	800
Max RAM Capacity	16	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon II X2 240e) vs false (Core 2 Duo E4700). Direct competitor: Athlon II X2 240e rivals Pentium E5400; Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.

Feature	Athlon II X2 240e	Core 2 Duo E4700
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	false

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X2 240e was priced at $77, while the Core 2 Duo E4700 came in at $133. On launch pricing ($77 vs $133), Athlon II X2 240e was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X2 240e delivers 13.1 pts/$ vs 7.6 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E4700 — making the Athlon II X2 240e the 53% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X2 240e	Core 2 Duo E4700
MSRP	$77-42%	$133
Performance per Dollar	13.1+72%	7.6
Release Date	2009	2008

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