Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Pentium E5400

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 E5400 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 E5400: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium E5400.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.6 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Pentium E5400

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $78 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Delivers 140.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,007 vs 1,011).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E4700.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium E5400 better than Core 2 Duo E4700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium E5400 is ahead with 3.8% higher max boost clock. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E4700 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium E5400 is the better buy right now. Pentium E5400 comes in $78 cheaper on MSRP at $55 MSRP versus $133 MSRP, and it still gives you 3.8% higher max boost clock. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E4700 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 140.9% better value on MSRP (18.3 vs 7.6 PassMark/$), 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 E5400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E4700 vs Pentium E5400 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 E5400

The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E4700 and Pentium E5400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4700 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4700 uses the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Pentium E5400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4700 scores 1,011 against the Pentium E5400'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	Pentium E5400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	2 MB (total)
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Allendale (2006−2009)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,011	1,007

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4700	Pentium E5400
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: false (Core 2 Duo E4700) / not specified (Pentium E5400). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4700 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5000+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4700	Pentium E5400
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	false	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E4700 was priced at $133, while the Pentium E5400 came in at $55. On launch pricing ($133 vs $55), Pentium E5400 was $78 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E4700 delivers 7.6 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium E5400 — making the Pentium E5400 the 82.7% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E4700	Pentium E5400
MSRP	$133	$55-59%
Performance per Dollar	7.6	18.3+141%
Release Date	2008	2009

Search Core 2 Duo E4700 on Amazon

Search Pentium E5400 on Amazon

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.