Athlon PRO 3045B vs Core 2 Duo P8700

CPU

GPU

Athlon PRO 3045B

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021

Similar parts

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Core 2 Duo P8700

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

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Athlon PRO 3045B vs Core 2 Duo P8700 Performance Spectrum

Athlon PRO 3045B

2 / 4

2,770

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 / 2

2,805

+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.

Athlon PRO 3045B vs Core 2 Duo P8700 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 PRO 3045B vs Core 2 Duo P8700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon PRO 3045B

2021

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with AMD Radeon Vega 3, while Core 2 Duo P8700 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,770 vs 2,805).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.5 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($426 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
❌400% higher power demand at 15W vs 3W.

Core 2 Duo P8700

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $185 less on MSRP ($241 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Delivers 79.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.6 vs 6.5 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $426 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 15W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Athlon PRO 3045B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo P8700 better than Athlon PRO 3045B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon PRO 3045B is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8700 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Athlon PRO 3045B also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo P8700 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo P8700 comes in $185 cheaper on MSRP at $241 MSRP versus $426 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Athlon PRO 3045B is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 79.0% better value on MSRP (11.6 vs 6.5 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 3045B makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2009) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon PRO 3045B vs Core 2 Duo P8700 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon PRO 3045B

The Athlon PRO 3045B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Dali (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,770 points. Launch price was $149.

Core 2 Duo P8700

The Core 2 Duo P8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.

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Processing Power

The Athlon PRO 3045B packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Athlon PRO 3045B versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Athlon PRO 3045B (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Athlon PRO 3045B uses the Dali (2020−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon PRO 3045B scores 2,770 against the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2,805 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8700. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Athlon PRO 3045B vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700.

Feature	Athlon PRO 3045B	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+26%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.53 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	3 MB+500%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Dali (2020−2021)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,770	2,805+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon PRO 3045B uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Athlon PRO 3045B versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — the Athlon PRO 3045B supports 125.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon PRO 3045B supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon PRO 3045B) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo P8700) — the Athlon PRO 3045B offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD FP5 (Athlon PRO 3045B) and GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8700).

Feature	Athlon PRO 3045B	Core 2 Duo P8700
Socket	FP5	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+264%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+125%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+300%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	8	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon PRO 3045B) / true (Core 2 Duo P8700). The Athlon PRO 3045B includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Athlon PRO 3045B	Core 2 Duo P8700
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	AMD Radeon Vega 3	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon PRO 3045B was priced at $426, while the Core 2 Duo P8700 came in at $241. On launch pricing ($426 vs $241), Core 2 Duo P8700 was $185 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon PRO 3045B delivers 6.5 pts/$ vs 11.6 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo P8700 — making the Core 2 Duo P8700 the 56.6% better value option.

Feature	Athlon PRO 3045B	Core 2 Duo P8700
MSRP	$426	$241-43%
Performance per Dollar	6.5	11.6+78%
Release Date	2021	2009

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