CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E8500
Xeon 5148
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 Xeon 5148 is on rank 954, 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 Xeon 5148
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Xeon 5148 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Woodcrest (2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Xeon 5148 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($26) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8500 and Xeon 5148
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.
Xeon 5148
The Xeon 5148 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.33 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 40 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,315 points. Launch price was $9.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Duo E8500 and Xeon 5148 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.17 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8500 versus 2.33 GHz on the Xeon 5148 — a 30.5% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8500. The Core 2 Duo E8500 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon 5148 uses Woodcrest (2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8500 scores 1,297 against the Xeon 5148's 1,315 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon 5148. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Xeon 5148 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.17 GHz+36% | 2.33 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.16 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Woodcrest (2006) |
| PassMark | 1,297 | 1,315+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E8500 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon 5148 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Xeon 5148 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo E8500) / not specified (Xeon 5148). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8500 rivals Phenom II X2 550.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8500 | Xeon 5148 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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