Core 2 Duo E6400 vs E-300

Core 2 Duo E6400 vs E-300 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo E6400

2 / 2

1,175

0.0%

1,176

+0.1%

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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 E6400 vs E-300 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 E6400 vs E-300: 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 E6400

2006

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike E-300.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,175 vs 1,176).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($183 MSRP vs $60 MSRP).
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while E-300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

E-300

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $123 less on MSRP ($60 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
✅Delivers 205.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.6 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($60 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon HD 6310, while Core 2 Duo E6400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6400.

Quick Answers

So, is E-300 better than Core 2 Duo E6400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6400 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E-300 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E-300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

E-300 is the better buy right now. E-300 comes in $123 cheaper on MSRP at $60 MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E6400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 205.3% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

E-300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2006) 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 E6400 vs E-300 Technical Specifications

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

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.

E-300

The E-300 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 22 August 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,176 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E6400 and E-300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 1.3 GHz on the E-300 — a 48.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6400. The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the E-300 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the E-300's 1,176 — a 0.1% lead for the E-300. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	E-300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz+64%	1.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	512K (per core)+25500%
Process	65 nm	40 nm-38%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,175	1,176

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the E-300 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 1066 memory speed. The Core 2 Duo E6400 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo E6400) vs 1 (E-300). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6400) vs 0 (E-300) — the Core 2 Duo E6400 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	E-300
Socket	LGA775	FT1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6400) vs AMD-V (E-300). The E-300 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6310), while the Core 2 Duo E6400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: E-300 targets Budget Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	E-300
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Radeon HD 6310
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Budget Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E6400 was priced at $183, while the E-300 came in at $60. On launch pricing ($183 vs $60), E-300 was $123 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6400 delivers 6.4 pts/$ vs 19.6 pts/$ for the E-300 — making the E-300 the 101.3% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	E-300
MSRP	$183	$60-67%
Performance per Dollar	6.4	19.6+206%
Release Date	2006	2011

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