Core 2 Duo E8235 vs Atom C3338

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom C3338

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

8086%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

1527%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

1356%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1048%

#332

Xeon W-2235

MSRP: $555|Avg: $350

100%

#333

Xeon Gold 5317

MSRP: $1088|Avg: $1100

98%

#334

Xeon W-2275

MSRP: $1112|Avg: $500

98%

#335

Xeon Gold 6430

MSRP: $2128|Avg: $1850

97%

#336

Xeon Gold 6421N

MSRP: $2368|Avg: $2427

97%

#543

Atom C3338

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#544

Xeon W3670

MSRP: $250|Avg: $250

100%

#547

Xeon E3-1240 v2

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

99%

#548

Xeon E3-1220 v3

MSRP: $203|Avg: $89

99%

#551

Xeon W-2102

MSRP: $202|Avg: $286

98%

#553

Xeon E3-1265L v2

MSRP: $265|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom C3338 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4: 1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom C3338
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Goldmont (2016−2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8235 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom C3338
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Core 2 Duo E8235 Benchmark Check

Atom C3338 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8235 and Atom C3338

Core 2 Duo E8235

The Core 2 Duo E8235 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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.

Atom C3338

The Atom C3338 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 February 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont (2016−2017) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1310. Thermal design power (TDP): 8.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR4: 1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,028 points. Launch price was $27.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8235 and Atom C3338 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8235 versus 2.2 GHz on the Atom C3338 — a 24% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8235 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8235 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom C3338 uses Goldmont (2016−2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8235 scores 1,020 against the Atom C3338's 1,028 — a 0.8% lead for the Atom C3338.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom C3338
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+27%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+87%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Goldmont (2016−2017)
PassMark	1,020	1,028

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8235 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom C3338 uses FCBGA1310 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8235	Atom C3338
Socket	P	FCBGA1310
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	1
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	10