Celeron G4900T vs Core 2 Duo E8700

Intel

Celeron G4900T

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E8700

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Celeron G4900T vs Core 2 Duo E8700 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 G4900T vs Core 2 Duo E8700 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 G4900T vs Core 2 Duo E8700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G4900T

2018

Why buy it

  • +1.2% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $214 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $256 MSRP).
  • Delivers 517.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.3 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $256 MSRP).
  • Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core 2 Duo E8700

2009

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (2,212 vs 2,239).
    • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 53.3 PassMark/$ ($256 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
    • 85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
    • No integrated graphics, while Celeron G4900T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Celeron G4900T better than Core 2 Duo E8700?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E8700 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G4900T pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G4900T 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 G4900T is the better buy right now. Celeron G4900T comes in $214 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $256 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E8700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 517.0% better value on MSRP (53.3 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Celeron G4900T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2009) and 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 G4900T vs Core 2 Duo E8700 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Celeron G4900T

    The Celeron G4900T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 2,239 points. Launch price was $42.

    Intel

    Core 2 Duo E8700

    The Core 2 Duo E8700 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,212 points. Launch price was $249.

    Processing Power

    Both the Celeron G4900T and Core 2 Duo E8700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron G4900T versus 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 — a 18.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Celeron G4900T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G4900T scores 2,239 against the Core 2 Duo E8700's 2,212 — a 1.2% lead for the Celeron G4900T.

    FeatureCeleron G4900TCore 2 Duo E8700
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    2.9 GHz
    3.5 GHz+21%
    Base Clock
    2.9 GHz
    3.5 GHz+21%
    L3 Cache
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)+4167%
    6 MB (total)
    Process
    14 nm-69%
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
    Wolfdale (2008−2010)
    PassMark
    2,239+1%
    2,212
    Geekbench 6 Single
    623
    Geekbench 6 Multi
    1,040
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Celeron G4900T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeatureCeleron G4900TCore 2 Duo E8700
    Socket
    LGA1151
    LGA775
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 3.0+173%
    PCIe 1.1
    Max RAM Speed
    DDR4-2400
    Max RAM Capacity
    64 GB
    RAM Channels
    2
    ECC Support
    Yes
    PCIe Lanes
    16
    🔧

    Advanced Features

    Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G4900T) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E8700). The Celeron G4900T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 610), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G4900T targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G4900T rivals Pentium G5400T.

    FeatureCeleron G4900TCore 2 Duo E8700
    Integrated GPU
    Yes
    IGPU Model
    UHD Graphics 610
    Unlocked
    No
    AVX-512
    No
    Virtualization
    VT-x
    Target Use
    Budget
    💰

    Value Analysis

    At launch, the Celeron G4900T was priced at $42, while the Core 2 Duo E8700 came in at $256. On launch pricing ($42 vs $256), Celeron G4900T was $214 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G4900T delivers 53.3 pts/$ vs 8.6 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E8700 — making the Celeron G4900T the 144.2% better value option.

    FeatureCeleron G4900TCore 2 Duo E8700
    MSRP
    $42-84%
    $256
    Performance per Dollar
    53.3+520%
    8.6
    Release Date
    2018
    2009

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