Core 2 Duo E6400 vs Pentium A1020

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo E6400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2006

Pentium A1020

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E6400

2 / 2

1,175

+0.7%

1,167

0.0%

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 Pentium A1020 is on rank 1009, so the Pentium A1020 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E6400

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

48554%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

45879%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

33312%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

10035%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7949%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6954%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3983%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3931%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3579%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3579%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3539%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3443%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3395%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3381%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3351%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

100%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

99%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

99%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

94%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

94%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

92%

#1065

Pentium D 820

MSRP: $241|Avg: $20

91%

#1066

Celeron 2.10

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

91%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

90%

#1068

Sempron 3100+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $15

89%

#1069

Core 2 Duo E6750

MSRP: $183|Avg: $15

88%

#1070

Athlon II X4 635

MSRP: $400|Avg: $250

88%

#1071

Core i7-940

MSRP: $562|Avg: $90

84%

#1072

Celeron 2.40

MSRP: $69|Avg: $13

78%

#1073

Sempron 2800+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $29

77%

#1074

Athlon 64 3100+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

74%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1020

#997

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#998

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#999

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#1000

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1001

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1003

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1004

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1005

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1006

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1009

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1010

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium A1020 (2016) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6400	Pentium A1020
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E6400 (2006) relies on 65 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E6400	Pentium A1020
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+766%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($86)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Duo E6400 Benchmark Check

Pentium A1020 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6400 and Pentium A1020

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.

Pentium A1020

The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E6400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium A1020 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium A1020 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 — a 23.6% clock advantage for the Pentium A1020 (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E6400 is built on the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the Pentium A1020's 1,167 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E6400 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	Pentium A1020
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.13 GHz	2.7 GHz+27%
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.41 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB	—
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Conroe (2006−2007)	—
PassMark	1,175	1,167

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium A1020 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	Pentium A1020
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
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 (Pentium A1020). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6400	Pentium A1020
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo E6400 launched at $183 MSRP, while the Pentium A1020 debuted at $86. At current prices ($10 vs $86), the Core 2 Duo E6400 is $76 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6400 delivers 117.5 pts/$ vs 13.6 pts/$ for the Pentium A1020 — making the Core 2 Duo E6400 the 158.6% better value option.