Core 2 Duo E6420
VS
Core 2 Solo SU3300

Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6420

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.13 GHz2007
VS
Intel

Core 2 Solo SU3300

1 Cores1 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2008

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 E6420 is positioned at rank 1054 and the Core 2 Solo SU3300 is on rank 1211, so the Core 2 Duo E6420 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 E6420

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
46180%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
43636%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
31683%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
9545%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
7560%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
6614%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
3788%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
3739%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
3404%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
3404%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
3366%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
3275%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
3229%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
3216%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
3187%
#1054
Core 2 Duo E6420
MSRP: $183|Avg: $10
100%
#1055
Phenom X4 9600B
MSRP: $278|Avg: $20
98%
#1056
Pentium D 940
MSRP: $132|Avg: $15
98%
#1057
Phenom II X3 B77
MSRP: $281|Avg: $35
97%
#1058
Core 2 Duo E6300
MSRP: $163|Avg: $5
96%
#1059
Core 2 Duo E6400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $10
95%
#1060
Core 2 Duo E8300
MSRP: $163|Avg: $20
94%
#1061
Phenom X4 9500
MSRP: $247|Avg: $30
94%
#1062
Celeron D 352
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
90%
#1063
Core i7-970
MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289
90%
#1064
Core i7-880
MSRP: $583|Avg: $40
87%
#1065
Pentium D 820
MSRP: $241|Avg: $20
87%
#1066
Celeron 2.10
MSRP: $49|Avg: $49
86%
#1067
Core i7-950
MSRP: $562|Avg: $15
86%
#1068
Sempron 3100+
MSRP: $65|Avg: $15
85%
#1069
Athlon II X4 635
MSRP: $400|Avg: $250
83%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Solo SU3300

#1199
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
6164%
#1200
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
6074%
#1201
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
5576%
#1202
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
5550%
#1203
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
5500%
#1205
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
5311%
#1206
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
5092%
#1207
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
5084%
#1208
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
4947%
#1211
Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP: $262|Avg: $50
100%
#1212
Celeron 540
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
100%
#1213
Celeron U3600
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
98%
#1216
Core 2 Quad Q9000
MSRP: $348|Avg: $15
96%
#1217
Core i5-2537M
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
96%
#1218
Core i7-720QM
MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A
96%
#1219
Pentium U5400
MSRP: $289|Avg: $214
93%
#1220
Pentium T2330
MSRP: $150|Avg: $7
93%
#1221
Z-01
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
90%
#1222
Pentium T2310
MSRP: $150|Avg: $14
88%
#1223
Celeron SU2300
MSRP: $134|Avg: $134
86%
#1224
Core i5-560UM
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
85%
#1225
Core i7-660UM
MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A
85%
#1226
C-30
MSRP: $50|Avg: $15
84%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo E6420 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Solo SU3300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Conroe (2006−2007) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo E6420 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 80% cheaper ($10 vs $50) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+395%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($50)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E6420 and Core 2 Solo SU3300

Intel

Core 2 Duo E6420

The Core 2 Duo E6420 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: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,235 points. Launch price was $249.

Intel

Core 2 Solo SU3300

The Core 2 Solo SU3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 1.2 GHz. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 3 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,247 points. Launch price was $262.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E6420 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 offers 1 cores / 1 threads — the Core 2 Duo E6420 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — a 55.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E6420. The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the Conroe (2006−2007) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E6420 scores 1,235 against the Core 2 Solo SU3300's 1,247 — a 1% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3300.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
Cores / Threads
2 / 2+100%
1 / 1
Boost Clock
2.13 GHz+78%
1.2 GHz
Base Clock
2.13 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB
Process
65 nm
45 nm-31%
Architecture
Conroe (2006−2007)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
1,235
1,247
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E6420 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo E6420 versus DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — the Core 2 Duo E6420 supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6420 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 4 GB 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs 1 (Core 2 Solo SU3300). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs 0 (Core 2 Solo SU3300) — the Core 2 Duo E6420 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
Socket
LGA775
BGA956
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
1066+53200%
DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity
16
4 GB+26214300%
RAM Channels
2+100%
1
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E6420) vs VT-x (Core 2 Solo SU3300). Primary use case: Core 2 Solo SU3300 targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E6420 rivals Athlon 64 X2 5400+.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x
Target Use
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo E6420 launched at $183 MSRP, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 debuted at $262. At current prices ($10 vs $50), the Core 2 Duo E6420 is $40 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6420 delivers 123.5 pts/$ vs 24.9 pts/$ for the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — making the Core 2 Duo E6420 the 132.8% better value option.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E6420Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP
$183-30%
$262
Avg Price (30d)
$10-80%
$50
Performance per Dollar
123.5+396%
24.9
Release Date
2007
2008