Celeron N2920 vs Core 2 Duo E8235

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 N2920 vs Core 2 Duo E8235 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 N2920 vs Core 2 Duo E8235: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N2920

2013

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 7W instead of 44W, a 37W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (4 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail), while Core 2 Duo E8235 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core 2 Duo E8235

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,020 vs 1,030).
❌528.6% higher power demand at 44W vs 7W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron N2920 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N2920 better than Core 2 Duo E8235?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E8235 is ahead with 40% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2920 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N2920 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Celeron N2920 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N2920 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron N2920 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N2920 vs Core 2 Duo E8235 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N2920

The Celeron N2920 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 December 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,030 points. Launch price was $107.

Core 2 Duo E8235

The Core 2 Duo E8235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N2920 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo E8235 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N2920 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Celeron N2920 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8235 — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8235 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Celeron N2920 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N2920 scores 1,030 against the Core 2 Duo E8235's 1,020 — a 1% lead for the Celeron N2920.

Feature	Celeron N2920	Core 2 Duo E8235
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.8 GHz+40%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.8 GHz+51%
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+8433%	6 MB (total)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,030	1,020

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N2920 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N2920	Core 2 Duo E8235
Socket	FCBGA1170	P
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	4	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Celeron N2920) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E8235). The Celeron N2920 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Bay Trail)), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Celeron N2920 rivals AMD A4-6210.