Core 2 Duo E8135 vs Pentium E5400

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 E8135 vs Pentium E5400 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 E8135 vs Pentium E5400: 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 E8135

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 44W instead of 65W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.1 vs 18.3 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $55 MSRP).

Pentium E5400

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $145 less on MSRP ($55 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 259.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.3 vs 5.1 PassMark/$ ($55 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Duo E8135 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (1,007 vs 1,020).
❌47.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 44W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8135 better than Pentium E5400?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E8135 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.3% 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 E8135 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 50 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 E8135 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E8135 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E8135 comes in 263.6% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $55 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E5400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 259.0% better value on paper (18.3 vs 5.1 PassMark/$), 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 E8135 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 E8135 vs Pentium E5400 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E8135

The Core 2 Duo E8135 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.667 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,020 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium E5400

The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8135 and Pentium E5400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8135 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 — a 120.5% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 2.667 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8135 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium E5400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8135 scores 1,020 against the Pentium E5400's 1,007 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8135.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8135	Pentium E5400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	0.67 GHz	2.7 GHz+303%
Base Clock	2.667 GHz	2.7 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,020+1%	1,007

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8135 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium E5400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8135	Pentium E5400
Socket	P	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8135 was priced at $200, while the Pentium E5400 came in at $55. On launch pricing ($200 vs $55), Pentium E5400 was $145 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8135 delivers 5.1 pts/$ vs 18.3 pts/$ for the Pentium E5400 — making the Pentium E5400 the 112.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8135	Pentium E5400
MSRP	$200	$55-73%
Performance per Dollar	5.1	18.3+259%
Release Date	2009	2009

Search Core 2 Duo E8135 on Amazon

Search Pentium E5400 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.