Core 2 Duo E4400 vs Ryzen 5 5600
Core 2 Duo E4400
Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core 2 Duo E4400 is positioned at rank #1001 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4400
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+242%) |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($115) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E4400 and Ryzen 5 5600
Core 2 Duo E4400
The Core 2 Duo E4400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $249.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E4400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4400 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 75% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4400 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4400 scores 1,095 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 180.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 208 vs 2,052, a 163.2% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4400 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 4.4 GHz+120% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+75% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 512K (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 7 nm-89% |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 1,095 | 21,550+1868% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 208 | 2,052+887% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E4400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-1066 on the Core 2 Duo E4400 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 66.7% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo E4400) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: RS600,Q965 (Core 2 Duo E4400) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 4.0+264% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-1066 | DDR4-3200+100% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 128 GB+700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: None (Core 2 Duo E4400) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E4400 targets Budget, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4400 rivals Athlon II X2 240.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | None | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Budget | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E4400 launched at $113 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($20 vs $115), the Core 2 Duo E4400 is $95 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E4400 delivers 54.8 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 109.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $113-43% | $199 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-83% | $115 |
| Performance per Dollar | 54.8 | 187.4+242% |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2022 |
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