Celeron N4120 vs Core 2 Duo P8400

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 N4120 vs Core 2 Duo P8400 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 N4120 vs Core 2 Duo P8400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron N4120

2019

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,463 vs 2,497).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 4W vs 3W.

Core 2 Duo P8400

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 4W, a 1W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $209 MSRP, while Celeron N4120 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo P8400 better than Celeron N4120?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Celeron N4120 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8400 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Celeron N4120 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo P8400 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo P8400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $209 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Celeron N4120 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 N4120 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2008) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4120 vs Core 2 Duo P8400 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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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%

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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.