Core 2 Duo E7200 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2180

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 E7200 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2180 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 E7200 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2180: 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 E7200

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium Dual-Core E2180.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 11.2 PassMark/$ ($133 MSRP vs $84 MSRP).

Pentium Dual-Core E2180

2007

Why buy it

✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($84 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.2 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($84 MSRP vs $133 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Duo E7200 across 33 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (938 vs 1,002).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E7200.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E7200 better than Pentium Dual-Core E2180?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E7200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data, 6.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo E7200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.7% more average FPS across 33 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E7200 is the stronger fit. You are getting 6.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E7200 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E7200 comes in 58.3% more expensive on MSRP at $133 MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 33 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Dual-Core E2180 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 48.2% better value on paper (11.2 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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 Duo E7200 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 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 E7200 vs Pentium Dual-Core E2180 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E7200

The Core 2 Duo E7200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 3 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium Dual-Core E2180

The Pentium Dual-Core E2180 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 938 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E7200 and Pentium Dual-Core E2180 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E7200 versus 2 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2180 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E7200. The Core 2 Duo E7200 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2180 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E7200 scores 1,002 against the Pentium Dual-Core E2180's 938 — a 6.6% lead for the Core 2 Duo E7200. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7200	Pentium Dual-Core E2180
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz+26%	2 GHz
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	3 MB (total)+200%	1 MB (total)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,002+7%	938
Geekbench 6 Single	368	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	666	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7200	Pentium Dual-Core E2180
Socket	LGA775	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E7200) / not specified (Pentium Dual-Core E2180). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E7200 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E7200 rivals Athlon II X2 245.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7200	Pentium Dual-Core E2180
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E7200 was priced at $133, while the Pentium Dual-Core E2180 came in at $84. On launch pricing ($133 vs $84), Pentium Dual-Core E2180 was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E7200 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 11.2 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual-Core E2180 — making the Pentium Dual-Core E2180 the 38.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E7200	Pentium Dual-Core E2180
MSRP	$133	$84-37%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	11.2+49%
Release Date	2008	2007

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