Core 2 Duo E8600
VS
Pentium N3710

Core 2 Duo E8600 vs Pentium N3710

Intel

Core 2 Duo E8600

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Pentium N3710

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.56 GHz2016

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 E8600 is positioned at rank 1050 and the Pentium N3710 is on rank 1115, so the Core 2 Duo E8600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8600

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
45242%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
42749%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
31039%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
9351%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
7407%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
6480%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
3711%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
3663%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
3335%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
3335%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
3297%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
3208%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
3164%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
3151%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
3122%
#1050
Core 2 Duo E8600
MSRP: $200|Avg: $95
100%
#1051
Core 2 Duo E6320
MSRP: $163|Avg: $5
99%
#1052
Core i7-980X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $150
99%
#1053
Athlon 64 X2 3600+
MSRP: $150|Avg: $10
99%
#1054
Core 2 Duo E6420
MSRP: $183|Avg: $10
98%
#1055
Pentium D 940
MSRP: $132|Avg: $15
96%
#1056
Phenom X4 9600B
MSRP: $278|Avg: $20
96%
#1057
Phenom II X3 B77
MSRP: $281|Avg: $35
95%
#1058
Core 2 Duo E6300
MSRP: $163|Avg: $5
94%
#1059
Core 2 Duo E6400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $10
93%
#1060
Core 2 Duo E8300
MSRP: $163|Avg: $20
92%
#1061
Phenom X4 9500
MSRP: $247|Avg: $30
92%
#1062
Celeron D 352
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
88%
#1063
Core i7-970
MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289
88%
#1064
Core i7-880
MSRP: $583|Avg: $40
85%
#1065
Pentium D 820
MSRP: $241|Avg: $20
85%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Pentium N3710

#1103
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3408%
#1104
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3358%
#1105
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3082%
#1106
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3069%
#1107
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3040%
#1109
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
2936%
#1110
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2815%
#1111
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2811%
#1112
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2735%
#1115
Pentium N3710
MSRP: $161|Avg: $50
100%
#1116
Core m3-7Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
100%
#1117
Pentium 977
MSRP: $134|Avg: $10
100%
#1118
Core i7-2715QE
MSRP: $378|Avg: $50
99%
#1119
VIA Nano U2250
MSRP: $50|Avg: $10
99%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
98%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
97%
#1123
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
96%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
95%
#1127
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
95%
#1128
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
95%
#1129
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
95%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
95%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium N3710 (2016) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($95)
More affordable ($50)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Braswell (2015−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8600 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+91%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($95)
More affordable ($50)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo E8600 and Pentium N3710

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium N3710

The Pentium N3710 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Braswell (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.56 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,386 points. Launch price was $161.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N3710 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N3710 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8600 versus 2.56 GHz on the Pentium N3710 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8600 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8600 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N3710 uses Braswell (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8600 scores 1,378 against the Pentium N3710's 1,386 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium N3710. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
3.33 GHz+30%
2.56 GHz
Base Clock
3.33 GHz+108%
1.6 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
6 MB (total)+200%
2 MB
Process
45 nm
14 nm-69%
Architecture
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Braswell (2015−2016)
PassMark
1,378
1,386
Geekbench 6 Single
486
Geekbench 6 Multi
885
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8600 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N3710 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
Socket
LGA775
FCBGA1170
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo E8600) / not specified (Pentium N3710). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E8600 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E8600 rivals Phenom II X2 550.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x
Target Use
Legacy Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo E8600 launched at $200 MSRP, while the Pentium N3710 debuted at $161. At current prices ($95 vs $50), the Pentium N3710 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8600 delivers 14.5 pts/$ vs 27.7 pts/$ for the Pentium N3710 — making the Pentium N3710 the 62.6% better value option.

FeatureCore 2 Duo E8600Pentium N3710
MSRP
$200
$161-20%
Avg Price (30d)
$95
$50-47%
Performance per Dollar
14.5
27.7+91%
Release Date
2008
2016