Core 2 Duo E6420 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300

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 E6420 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300 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 E6420 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300: 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 E6420

2007

Why buy it

✅Costs $79 less on MSRP ($183 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅Delivers 41.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.7 vs 4.8 PassMark/$ ($183 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Core 2 Solo SU3300.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,235 vs 1,247).
❌2066.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 3W.

Core 2 Solo SU3300

2008

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.8 vs 6.7 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $183 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E6420.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3300 better than Core 2 Duo E6420?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E6420 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3300 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3300 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Solo SU3300 comes in 43.2% more expensive on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $183 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo E6420 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 41.8% better value on paper (6.7 vs 4.8 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 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 E6420 vs Core 2 Solo SU3300 Technical Specifications

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

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.

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.

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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.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Core 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

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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 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E6420 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 300% 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.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Core 2 Solo SU3300
Socket	LGA775	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1066+33%	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+300%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2+100%	1
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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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+.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Core 2 Solo SU3300
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x
Target Use	—	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E6420 was priced at $183, while the Core 2 Solo SU3300 came in at $262. On launch pricing ($183 vs $262), Core 2 Duo E6420 was $79 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E6420 delivers 6.7 pts/$ vs 4.8 pts/$ for the Core 2 Solo SU3300 — making the Core 2 Duo E6420 the 34.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E6420	Core 2 Solo SU3300
MSRP	$183-30%	$262
Performance per Dollar	6.7+40%	4.8
Release Date	2007	2008

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