CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E8500
Athlon X2 450
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 E8500 is positioned at rank 427 and the Athlon X2 450 is on rank 760, so the Core 2 Duo E8500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8500
Performance Per Dollar Athlon X2 450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Kaveri (2014−2015) / 28 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+73%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
Performance Check
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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8500 and Athlon X2 450
Core 2 Duo E8500
The Core 2 Duo E8500 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 3.16 GHz, with boost up to 3.17 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: 1,297 points. Launch price was $249.
Athlon X2 450
The Athlon X2 450 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Kaveri (2014−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,295 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E8500 and Athlon X2 450 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.17 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8500 versus 3.9 GHz on the Athlon X2 450 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Athlon X2 450 (base: 3.16 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8500 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon X2 450 uses Kaveri (2014−2015) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8500 scores 1,297 against the Athlon X2 450's 1,295 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8500.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.17 GHz | 3.9 GHz+23% |
| Base Clock | 3.16 GHz | 3.5 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+500% | 1 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm | 28 nm-38% |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Kaveri (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,297 | 1,295 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 450 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 800 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E8500 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon X2 450 uses FM2+ (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E8500 versus DDR3-1866 on the Athlon X2 450 — the Core 2 Duo E8500 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E8500) and A88X,A78,A68H (Athlon X2 450).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | FM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 16 GB+104857500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E8500) vs AMD-V (Athlon X2 450). Primary use case: Athlon X2 450 targets Basic Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8500 rivals Phenom II X2 550; Athlon X2 450 rivals Core i3-3220.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Basic Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E8500 launched at $26 MSRP, while the Athlon X2 450 debuted at $60. At current prices ($26 vs $15), the Athlon X2 450 is $11 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8500 delivers 49.9 pts/$ vs 86.3 pts/$ for the Athlon X2 450 — making the Athlon X2 450 the 53.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Athlon X2 450 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $26-57% | $60 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $26 | $15-42% |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.9 | 86.3+73% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2014 |
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