CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6400
Core 2 Duo P9700
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 E6400 is positioned at rank 1059 and the Core 2 Duo P9700 is on rank 564, so the Core 2 Duo P9700 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 E6400
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 E6400 and Core 2 Duo P9700
Core 2 Duo E6400
The Core 2 Duo E6400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 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: 1,175 points. Launch price was $249.
Core 2 Duo P9700
The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E6400 and Core 2 Duo P9700 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9700 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9700 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the Core 2 Duo P9700's 1,178 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P9700. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6400 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.8 GHz+31% |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 2.8 GHz+31% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 6 MB (total)+200% |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,175 | 1,178 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E6400) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P9700). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Core 2 Duo P9700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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