Core 2 Duo E8400 vs Pentium A1020

Core 2 Duo E8400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3 GHz2008

Pentium A1020

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo E8400

2 / 2

1,165

0.0%

1,167

+0.2%

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 E8400 is positioned at rank 508 and the Pentium A1020 is on rank 1009, so the Core 2 Duo E8400 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 E8400

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

8028%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7585%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5508%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1659%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1314%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1150%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

659%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

650%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

592%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

592%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

585%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

569%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

561%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

559%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

554%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

97%

#373

Core i7-9700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $276

99%

#508

Core 2 Duo E8400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#511

Athlon X4 880K

MSRP: $95|Avg: $25

99%

#515

Athlon X4 870K

MSRP: $90|Avg: $35

99%

#518

Pentium G2030T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

98%

#519

Athlon X4 730

MSRP: $60|Avg: $52

98%

#520

Core i3-7101E

MSRP: $117|Avg: $50

98%

#522

Athlon II X4 740

MSRP: $71|Avg: $20

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1020

#997

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#998

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#999

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#1000

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1001

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1003

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1004

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1005

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1006

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1009

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1010

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1020

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1021

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1022

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1023

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

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 Pentium A1020 (2016) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo E8400	Pentium A1020
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8400 (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 E8400	Pentium A1020
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($86)

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 E8400 Benchmark Check

Pentium A1020 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8400 and Pentium A1020

Core 2 Duo E8400

The Core 2 Duo E8400 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 1,165 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium A1020

The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium A1020 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium A1020 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8400 versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8400 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8400 is built on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8400 scores 1,165 against the Pentium A1020's 1,167 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium A1020. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8400 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8400	Pentium A1020
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz+11%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+24%	2.41 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	—
PassMark	1,165	1,167

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium A1020 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.