Core 2 Duo E8600 vs Pentium G840

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 E8600 vs Pentium G840 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 E8600 vs Pentium G840: 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 E8600

2008

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Pentium G840.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.9 vs 21.4 PassMark/$ ($200 MSRP vs $64 MSRP).

Pentium G840

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $136 less on MSRP ($64 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).
✅Delivers 210.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$ ($64 MSRP vs $200 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,367 vs 1,378).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core 2 Duo E8600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo E8600 better than Pentium G840?

Yes. Core 2 Duo E8600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% 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 E8600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.0% 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 E8600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core 2 Duo E8600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Duo E8600 comes in 212.5% more expensive on MSRP at $200 MSRP versus $64 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G840 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 210.0% better value on paper (21.4 vs 6.9 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Pentium G840 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo E8600 vs Pentium G840 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E8600

The Core 2 Duo E8600 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 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 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: 1,378 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium G840

The Pentium G840 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 22 May 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,367 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo E8600 and Pentium G840 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8600 versus 2.8 GHz on the Pentium G840 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8600 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8600 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G840 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8600 scores 1,378 against the Pentium G840's 1,367 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8600. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G840.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8600	Pentium G840
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz+19%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+19%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	1,378	1,367
Geekbench 6 Single	486	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	885	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8600 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G840 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8600	Pentium G840
Socket	LGA775	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8600) / not specified (Pentium G840). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8600 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8600 rivals Phenom II X2 550.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8600	Pentium G840
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8600 was priced at $200, while the Pentium G840 came in at $64. On launch pricing ($200 vs $64), Pentium G840 was $136 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8600 delivers 6.9 pts/$ vs 21.4 pts/$ for the Pentium G840 — making the Pentium G840 the 102.4% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8600	Pentium G840
MSRP	$200	$64-68%
Performance per Dollar	6.9	21.4+210%
Release Date	2008	2011

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