CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E6400
Sempron 3850
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 Sempron 3850 is on rank 507, so the Sempron 3850 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 Sempron 3850
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Sempron 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kabini (2013−2014) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Sempron 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Sempron 3850
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.
Sempron 3850
The Sempron 3850 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Kabini (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: AM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,168 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E6400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Sempron 3850 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Sempron 3850 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6400 versus 1.3 GHz on the Sempron 3850 — 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 Sempron 3850 uses Kabini (2013−2014) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6400 scores 1,175 against the Sempron 3850's 1,168 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo E6400.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Sempron 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.13 GHz+64% | 1.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | 2048 kB |
| Process | 65 nm | 28 nm-57% |
| Architecture | Conroe (2006−2007) | Kabini (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 1,175 | 1,168 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E6400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Sempron 3850 uses AM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Sempron 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| 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 (Sempron 3850). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6400 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E6400 | Sempron 3850 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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