CPU
GPU
Celeron Dual-Core T3100
Core 2 Duo E8400
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 Celeron Dual-Core T3100 is positioned at rank 711 and the Core 2 Duo E8400 is on rank 508, so the Core 2 Duo E8400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Celeron Dual-Core T3100
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Celeron Dual-Core T3100 | Core 2 Duo E8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Celeron Dual-Core T3100 | Core 2 Duo E8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Celeron Dual-Core T3100 and Core 2 Duo E8400
Celeron Dual-Core T3100
The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,174 points. Launch price was $69.
Core 2 Duo E8400
The Core 2 Duo E8400 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,165 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 and Core 2 Duo E8400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 versus 3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8400 — a 44.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8400. The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 scores 1,174 against the Core 2 Duo E8400's 1,165 — a 0.8% lead for the Celeron Dual-Core T3100.
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T3100 | Core 2 Duo E8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 1.9 GHz | 3 GHz+58% |
| Base Clock | — | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 6 MB (total)+500% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,174 | 1,165 |
Memory & Platform
The Celeron Dual-Core T3100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo E8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-800 on the Celeron Dual-Core T3100 versus 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E8400 — the Core 2 Duo E8400 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E8400 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron Dual-Core T3100) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E8400) — the Core 2 Duo E8400 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GL40,GM45,GS45 (Celeron Dual-Core T3100) and P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E8400).
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T3100 | Core 2 Duo E8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-800 | 1333+44333% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB+52428700% | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: No (Celeron Dual-Core T3100) vs true (Core 2 Duo E8400). Primary use case: Celeron Dual-Core T3100 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron Dual-Core T3100 rivals Pentium T4200; Core 2 Duo E8400 rivals Phenom II X2 550.
| Feature | Celeron Dual-Core T3100 | Core 2 Duo E8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | No | true |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
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