CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E8500
Celeron E3500
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 Celeron E3500 is on rank 778, 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 Celeron E3500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+159%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
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 Celeron E3500
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.
Celeron E3500
The Celeron E3500 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,290 points. Launch price was $62.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E8500 and Celeron E3500 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.17 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8500 versus 2.7 GHz on the Celeron E3500 — a 16% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8500 (base: 3.16 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8500 scores 1,297 against the Celeron E3500's 1,290 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8500. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.17 GHz+17% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.16 GHz+17% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+500% | 1 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,297 | 1,290 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 347 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 624 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core 2 Duo E8500 versus DDR3-1066 on the Celeron E3500 — the Core 2 Duo E8500 supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core 2 Duo E8500 supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo E8500) vs 0 (Celeron E3500) — the Core 2 Duo E8500 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: P35,G31,G33,P45 (Core 2 Duo E8500) and G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3500).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 8 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo E8500) vs VT-x (Celeron E3500). Primary use case: Celeron E3500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8500 rivals Phenom II X2 550; Celeron E3500 rivals Pentium E5200.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E8500 launched at $26 MSRP, while the Celeron E3500 debuted at $62. At current prices ($26 vs $10), the Celeron E3500 is $16 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8500 delivers 49.9 pts/$ vs 129.0 pts/$ for the Celeron E3500 — making the Celeron E3500 the 88.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Celeron E3500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $26-58% | $62 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $26 | $10-62% |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.9 | 129.0+159% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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