Core 2 Duo E4600 vs Pentium N3700

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.

Core 2 Duo E4600 vs Pentium N3700 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.

Core 2 Duo E4600 vs Pentium N3700: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo E4600

2007

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,235 vs 1,248).
❌Launch MSRP is still $133 MSRP, while Pentium N3700 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.

Pentium N3700

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 65W, a 59W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N3700 better than Core 2 Duo E4600?

Yes. Pentium N3700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium N3700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium N3700 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium N3700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo E4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (9.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Pentium N3700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2007) 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.

Core 2 Duo E4600 vs Pentium N3700 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E4600

The Core 2 Duo E4600 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium N3700

The Pentium N3700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,248 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E4600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3700 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3700 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4600 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium N3700 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4600 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium N3700 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4600 scores 1,235 against the Pentium N3700's 1,248 — a 1% lead for the Pentium N3700. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4600	Pentium N3700
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+50%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB
Process	65 nm	14 nm-78%
Architecture	Allendale (2006−2009)	Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark	1,235	1,248+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E4600 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3700 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4600	Pentium N3700
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—