Core 2 Duo E8335 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955

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 E8335 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 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 E8335 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955: 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 E8335

2009

Why buy it

✅Costs $799 less on MSRP ($200 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 399.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.5 vs 1.1 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 44W instead of 130W, a 86W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,094 vs 1,095).

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

2005

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 5.5 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
❌195.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 44W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8335 better than Pentium Extreme Edition 955?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E8335 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, Pentium Extreme Edition 955 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E8335 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo E8335 comes in $799 cheaper on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 399.0% better value on MSRP (5.5 vs 1.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core 2 Duo E8335 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2005). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E8335 vs Pentium Extreme Edition 955 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E8335

The Core 2 Duo E8335 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 2.933 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 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: 1,094 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8335 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.93 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8335 versus 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — a 65.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8335 (base: 2.933 GHz vs 3.466 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8335 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses Presler (2005−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8335 scores 1,094 against the Pentium Extreme Edition 955's 1,095 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8335	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.93 GHz+98%	0.47 GHz
Base Clock	2.933 GHz	3.466 GHz+18%
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB (per core)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Presler (2005−2007)
PassMark	1,094	1,095

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8335 uses the P socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8335	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
Socket	P	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8335 was priced at $200, while the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 came in at $999. On launch pricing ($200 vs $999), Core 2 Duo E8335 was $799 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8335 delivers 5.5 pts/$ vs 1.1 pts/$ for the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 — making the Core 2 Duo E8335 the 133.2% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8335	Pentium Extreme Edition 955
MSRP	$200-80%	$999
Performance per Dollar	5.5+400%	1.1
Release Date	2009	2005

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