Celeron N4120 vs Core 2 Duo P8400

Celeron N4120

4 Cores4 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2019

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Celeron N4120

4 / 4

2,463

0.0%

2,497

+1.4%

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 N4120 is positioned at rank 1239 and the Core 2 Duo P8400 is on rank 33, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron N4120

#1227

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

15524%

#1228

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

15296%

#1229

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

14042%

#1230

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

13979%

#1231

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

13851%

#1233

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

13376%

#1234

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

12825%

#1235

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

12804%

#1236

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

12460%

#1239

Celeron N4120

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

97%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8400

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

86%

#21

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

176%

#22

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

174%

#23

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

159%

#24

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

159%

#25

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

157%

#27

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

152%

#28

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

146%

#29

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

145%

#30

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

141%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

93%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

92%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Celeron N4120 (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Celeron N4120	Core 2 Duo P8400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Celeron N4120	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Celeron N4120 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Celeron N4120 and Core 2 Duo P8400

Celeron N4120

The Celeron N4120 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,463 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo P8400

The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Celeron N4120 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Celeron N4120 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Celeron N4120 versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 14% clock advantage for the Celeron N4120 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Celeron N4120 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4120 scores 2,463 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 1.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4120 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400.

Feature	Celeron N4120	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+15%	2.26 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.26 GHz+105%
L3 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	4 MB+33%	3 MB
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,463	2,497+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4120 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.