CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E4700
Athlon II X2 240e
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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Duo E4700 is positioned at rank 1035 and the Athlon II X2 240e is on rank 941, so the Athlon II X2 240e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4700
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X2 240e
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($77) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Regor (2009−2013) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+673%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($77) |
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 E4700 and Athlon II X2 240e
Core 2 Duo E4700
The Core 2 Duo E4700 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 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: 1,011 points. Launch price was $249.
Athlon II X2 240e
The Athlon II X2 240e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Regor (2009−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $35.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E4700 and Athlon II X2 240e share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 versus 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X2 240e — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X2 240e (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Athlon II X2 240e uses Regor (2009−2013) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4700 scores 1,011 against the Athlon II X2 240e's 1,007 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4700. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 2.8 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+100% | 1 MB |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | Regor (2009−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,011 | 1,007 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon II X2 240e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 800 on the Core 2 Duo E4700 versus 1333 on the Athlon II X2 240e — the Athlon II X2 240e supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E4700) vs 0 (Athlon II X2 240e) — the Core 2 Duo E4700 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E4700) and AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X2 240e).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 800 | 1333+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: false (Core 2 Duo E4700) vs true (Athlon II X2 240e). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+; Athlon II X2 240e rivals Pentium E5400.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | false | true |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E4700 launched at $133 MSRP, while the Athlon II X2 240e debuted at $77. At current prices ($10 vs $77), the Core 2 Duo E4700 is $67 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E4700 delivers 101.1 pts/$ vs 13.1 pts/$ for the Athlon II X2 240e — making the Core 2 Duo E4700 the 154.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4700 | Athlon II X2 240e |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $133 | $77-42% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-87% | $77 |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.1+672% | 13.1 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2009 |
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