Core 2 Duo E8300 vs E-350

Core 2 Duo E8300 vs E-350 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo E8300

2 / 2

1,039

0.0%

1,049

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 E8300 vs E-350 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 E8300 vs E-350: 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 E8300

2008

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike E-350.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,039 vs 1,049).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($163 MSRP vs $50 MSRP).
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.

E-350

2011

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $113 less on MSRP ($50 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
✅Delivers 229.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.0 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($50 MSRP vs $163 MSRP).
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E8300.

Quick Answers

So, is E-350 better than Core 2 Duo E8300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E8300 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, E-350 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, E-350 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

E-350 is the better buy right now. E-350 comes in $113 cheaper on MSRP at $50 MSRP versus $163 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E8300 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 229.1% better value on MSRP (21.0 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

E-350 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008) 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 E8300 vs E-350 Technical Specifications

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

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.

E-350

The E-350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Zacate (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 40 nm process technology. Socket: FT1. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,049 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8300 and E-350 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 E-350 — a 55.5% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8300. The Core 2 Duo E8300 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the E-350 uses Zacate (2011−2013) (40 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8300 scores 1,039 against the E-350's 1,049 — a 1% lead for the E-350. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	E-350
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.83 GHz+77%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.83 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)	512K (per core)+8433%
Process	45 nm	40 nm-11%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Zacate (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,039	1,049
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 E-350 uses FT1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	E-350
Socket	LGA775	FT1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8300) / not specified (E-350). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8300 targets Budget.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	E-350
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8300 was priced at $163, while the E-350 came in at $50. On launch pricing ($163 vs $50), E-350 was $113 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8300 delivers 6.4 pts/$ vs 21.0 pts/$ for the E-350 — making the E-350 the 106.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8300	E-350
MSRP	$163	$50-69%
Performance per Dollar	6.4	21.0+228%
Release Date	2008	2011

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