
Core 2 Duo E8200

Ryzen 5 5600
Core 2 Duo E8200 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum
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.
Core 2 Duo E8200 vs Ryzen 5 5600 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.

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Valorant

Among Us

Apex Legends

ARC Raiders

Baldur's Gate 3

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core 2 Duo E8200 vs Ryzen 5 5600: 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 E8200
2008Why buy it
- ✅Costs $36 less on MSRP ($163 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (650 vs 8,600).
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.0 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($163 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
Ryzen 5 5600
2022Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +644.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅Delivers 1443.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 7.0 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
- ✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌22.1% HIGHER MSRP$199 MSRPvs$163 MSRP
Quick Answers
So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core 2 Duo E8200?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core 2 Duo E8200 vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 2 Duo E8200
The Core 2 Duo E8200 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 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,144 points. Launch price was $249.


Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E8200 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 5 5600 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8200 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 48.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8200 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8200 scores 1,144 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 179.8% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 350 vs 2,052, a 141.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 650 vs 8,600 (171.9% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8200 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 6 / 12+200% |
| Boost Clock | 2.67 GHz | 4.4 GHz+65% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | 3.5 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 32 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 512K (per core)+8433% |
| Process | 45 nm | 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 1,144 | 21,550+1784% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 11,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | 2,052+486% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 650 | 8,600+1223% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E8200 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-800 on the Core 2 Duo E8200 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 300% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Ryzen 5 5600 supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 1500% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo E8200) vs 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) — the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,P45,G33,G45 (Core 2 Duo E8200) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 4.0+264% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-800 | DDR4-3200+300% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 128 GB+1500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8200) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8200 targets Legacy Desktop, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8200 rivals Phenom II X2 550.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Desktop |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8200 was priced at $163, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($163 vs $199), Core 2 Duo E8200 was $36 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8200 delivers 7.0 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 175.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8200 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $163-18% | $199 |
| Performance per Dollar | 7.0 | 108.3+1447% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2022 |
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