Celeron E3300 vs Core 2 Duo E7500

Intel

Celeron E3300

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E7500

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 0.93 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Celeron E3300 vs Core 2 Duo E7500 Performance Spectrum

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.

Celeron E3300 vs Core 2 Duo E7500 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.

Celeron E3300 vs Core 2 Duo E7500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3300

2009

Why buy it

  • Costs $63 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $113 MSRP).
  • Delivers 125.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.1 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $113 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,155 vs 1,157).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E7500.

Core 2 Duo E7500

2009

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Celeron E3300.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 23.1 PassMark/$ ($113 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E7500 better than Celeron E3300?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron E3300 is ahead with 168.8% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E7500 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E7500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core 2 Duo E7500 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E7500 comes in 126.0% more expensive on MSRP at $113 MSRP versus $50 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. Celeron E3300 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 125.6% better value on paper (23.1 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core 2 Duo E7500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron E3300 vs Core 2 Duo E7500 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Celeron E3300

The Celeron E3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,155 points. Launch price was $70.

Intel

Core 2 Duo E7500

The Core 2 Duo E7500 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 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 3 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,157 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

Both the Celeron E3300 and Core 2 Duo E7500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron E3300 versus 0.93 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7500 — a 91.5% clock advantage for the Celeron E3300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). Both are built on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Celeron E3300 scores 1,155 against the Core 2 Duo E7500's 1,157 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo E7500. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureCeleron E3300Core 2 Duo E7500
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz+169%
0.93 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.93 GHz+17%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
1 MB (total)
3 MB (total)+200%
Process
45 nm
45 nm
Architecture
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark
1,155
1,157
Geekbench 6 Single
347
Geekbench 6 Multi
624
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron E3300) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo E7500) — the Core 2 Duo E7500 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3300) and G31,P35,G41 (Core 2 Duo E7500).

FeatureCeleron E3300Core 2 Duo E7500
Socket
LGA775
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
0
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron E3300) vs None (Core 2 Duo E7500). Primary use case: Celeron E3300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3300 rivals Pentium E5200.

FeatureCeleron E3300Core 2 Duo E7500
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
None
Target Use
Budget
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron E3300 was priced at $50, while the Core 2 Duo E7500 came in at $113. On launch pricing ($50 vs $113), Celeron E3300 was $63 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron E3300 delivers 23.1 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E7500 — making the Celeron E3300 the 77.2% better value option.

FeatureCeleron E3300Core 2 Duo E7500
MSRP
$50-56%
$113
Performance per Dollar
23.1+126%
10.2
Release Date
2009
2009

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