Core 2 Duo E8400 vs Pentium E6800

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 E8400 vs Pentium E6800 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 E8400 vs Pentium E6800: 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 E8400

2008

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (true), unlike Pentium E6800.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium E6800

2010

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,155 vs 1,165).
❌Launch MSRP is still $86 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo E8400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E8400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8400 better than Pentium E6800?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E8400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Duo E8400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo E8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E8400 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E8400 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $86 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6800 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (13.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Pentium E6800 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E8400 vs Pentium E6800 Technical Specifications

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

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 E6800

The Pentium E6800 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,155 points. Launch price was $831.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8400 and Pentium E6800 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8400 versus 0.33 GHz on the Pentium E6800 — a 160.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8400 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). Both are built on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8400 scores 1,165 against the Pentium E6800's 1,155 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8400	Pentium E6800
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+809%	0.33 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.33 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,165	1,155