Celeron E3400 vs Phenom X3 8450e

Intel

Celeron E3400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2010
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom X3 8450e

3 Cores3 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008
Similar parts
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Celeron E3400 vs Phenom X3 8450e 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 E3400 vs Phenom X3 8450e 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 E3400 vs Phenom X3 8450e: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3400

2010

Why buy it

  • Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Phenom X3 8450e.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $53 MSRP, while Phenom X3 8450e mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom X3 8450e

2008

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,206 vs 1,220).
    • No boxed cooler included, unlike Celeron E3400.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Celeron E3400 better than Phenom X3 8450e?
    Yes. Celeron E3400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
    Which one is better for gaming?
    If gaming is the priority, Celeron E3400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.1% 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, Celeron E3400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Celeron E3400 is the better buy right now. Celeron E3400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $53 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Celeron E3400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 3/3. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Celeron E3400 vs Phenom X3 8450e Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Celeron E3400

    The Celeron E3400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) 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: 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: 1,220 points. Launch price was $76.

    AMD

    Phenom X3 8450e

    The Phenom X3 8450e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,206 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    The Celeron E3400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X3 8450e offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom X3 8450e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron E3400 versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8450e — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Celeron E3400. The Celeron E3400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom X3 8450e uses Toliman (2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3400 scores 1,220 against the Phenom X3 8450e's 1,206 — a 1.2% lead for the Celeron E3400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3400 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8450e.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom X3 8450e
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    3 / 3+50%
    Boost Clock
    2.6 GHz+24%
    2.1 GHz
    Base Clock
    2.6 GHz
    L3 Cache
    0 kB
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    1 MB (total)+100%
    512 kB (per core)
    Process
    45 nm-31%
    65 nm
    Architecture
    Wolfdale (2008−2010)
    Toliman (2008)
    PassMark
    1,220+1%
    1,206
    Geekbench 6 Single
    347
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    624
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Celeron E3400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X3 8450e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom X3 8450e
    Socket
    LGA775
    AM2+
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 2.0+82%
    Max RAM Speed
    1066
    Max RAM Capacity
    8
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    No
    PCIe Lanes
    0
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: true (Celeron E3400) / not specified (Phenom X3 8450e). Primary use case: Celeron E3400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron E3400 rivals Pentium E5200.

    FeatureCeleron E3400Phenom X3 8450e
    Integrated GPU
    No
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    true
    Target Use
    Budget