Core 2 Duo E8300 vs Celeron 2981U

Core 2 Duo E8300

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.83 GHz2008

Celeron 2981U

2 Cores2 Thrd512 WWMax: 1.6 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E8300

2 / 2

1,039

+0.3%

1,036

0.0%

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.

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. The Core 2 Duo E8300 is positioned at rank 1060 and the Celeron 2981U is on rank 426, so the Celeron 2981U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8300

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

48935%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

46239%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

33573%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

10114%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

8011%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

7008%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

4014%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3962%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3607%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3607%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3567%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3470%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3422%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3408%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3377%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

100%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

99%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

95%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

95%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

92%

#1065

Pentium D 820

MSRP: $241|Avg: $20

92%

#1066

Celeron 2.10

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

91%

#1067

Core i7-950

MSRP: $562|Avg: $15

91%

#1068

Sempron 3100+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $15

90%

#1069

Athlon II X4 635

MSRP: $400|Avg: $250

88%

#1070

Core 2 Duo E6750

MSRP: $183|Avg: $15

88%

#1071

Core i7-940

MSRP: $562|Avg: $90

85%

#1072

Celeron 2.40

MSRP: $69|Avg: $13

78%

#1073

Sempron 2800+

MSRP: $65|Avg: $29

77%

#1074

Athlon 64 3100+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

75%

#1075

Sempron 3600+

MSRP: $105|Avg: $20

73%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2981U

#414

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

566%

#415

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

558%

#416

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

512%

#417

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

510%

#418

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

505%

#420

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

488%

#421

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

468%

#422

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

467%

#423

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

455%

#426

Celeron 2981U

MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A

100%

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 Celeron 2981U (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8300	Celeron 2981U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($20)	⚠️ Higher cost ($137)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8300 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8300	Celeron 2981U
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+587%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($20)	⚠️ Higher cost ($137)

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 E8300 Benchmark Check

Celeron 2981U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8300 and Celeron 2981U

Core 2 Duo E8300

The Core 2 Duo E8300 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 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 2.83 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: 1,039 points. Launch price was $249.

Celeron 2981U

The Celeron 2981U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,036 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8300 and Celeron 2981U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.83 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8300 versus 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2981U — a 55.5% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300 (base: 2.83 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8300 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2981U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8300 scores 1,039 against the Celeron 2981U's 1,036 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8300 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2981U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	Celeron 2981U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.83 GHz+77%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.83 GHz+77%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,039	1,036
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	345	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	771	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2981U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E8300) vs 12 (Celeron 2981U) — the Core 2 Duo E8300 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,P45,G33,G31 (Core 2 Duo E8300) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2981U).

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	Celeron 2981U
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Celeron 2981U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Duo E8300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8300 targets Budget, Celeron 2981U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2981U rivals Pentium 2117U.