Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Pentium 2117U

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 Pentium 2117U 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 Pentium 2117U: 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

✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium 2117U.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $133 MSRP, while Pentium 2117U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium 2117U

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,009 vs 1,011).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E4700.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E4700 better than Pentium 2117U?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E4700 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo E4700 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.9% more average FPS across 49 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 E4700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E4700 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo E4700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $133 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 2117U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Pentium 2117U Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium 2117U

The Pentium 2117U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,009 points. Launch price was $134.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E4700 and Pentium 2117U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 versus 1.8 GHz on the Pentium 2117U — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E4700 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium 2117U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4700 scores 1,011 against the Pentium 2117U's 1,009 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo E4700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4700 vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium 2117U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4700	Pentium 2117U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+44%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Allendale (2006−2009)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	1,011	1,009

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium 2117U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.