Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Core 2 Duo E8235

Intel

Core 2 Duo E4700

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E8235

2 Cores2 Thrd44 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Core 2 Duo E8235 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Core 2 Duo E8235 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 E4700 vs Core 2 Duo E8235: 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 E4700

2008

Why buy it

  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • βœ…Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core 2 Duo E8235.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Duo E8235 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (1,011 vs 1,020).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $133 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo E8235 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌47.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 44W.

Core 2 Duo E8235

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Draws 44W instead of 65W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E4700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8235 better than Core 2 Duo E4700?
Yes. Core 2 Duo E8235 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo E8235 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E8235 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core 2 Duo E8235 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E8235 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo E4700 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?
Core 2 Duo E8235 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 E4700 vs Core 2 Duo E8235 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2006βˆ’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.

Intel

Core 2 Duo E8235

The Core 2 Duo E8235 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $249.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E4700 and Core 2 Duo E8235 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 Core 2 Duo E8235 β€” a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8235 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the Allendale (2006βˆ’2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 uses Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4700 scores 1,011 against the Core 2 Duo E8235's 1,020 β€” a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8235.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E4700Core 2 Duo E8235
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
β€”
L2 Cache
2 MB
6 MB (total)+200%
Process
65 nm
45 nm-31%
Architecture
Allendale (2006βˆ’2009)
Penryn (2008βˆ’2011)
PassMark
1,011
1,020
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo E8235 uses P (PCIe 1.1) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E4700Core 2 Duo E8235
Socket
LGA775
P
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
800
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
16
β€”
RAM Channels
2
β€”
ECC Support
No
β€”
PCIe Lanes
16
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: false (Core 2 Duo E4700) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E8235). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E4700Core 2 Duo E8235
Integrated GPU
No
β€”
IGPU Model
None
β€”
Unlocked
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
false
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E4700 was priced at $133, while the Core 2 Duo E8235 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($133 vs $0), Core 2 Duo E8235 was $133 cheaper.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E4700Core 2 Duo E8235
MSRP
$133
$0-100%
Performance per Dollar
7.6
β€”
Release Date
2008
2009

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.