Core 2 Duo E8700 vs Core i5-2520M

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 E8700 vs Core i5-2520M 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 E8700 vs Core i5-2520M: 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 E8700

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,212 vs 2,241).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.6 vs 10.0 PassMark/$ ($256 MSRP vs $225 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2520M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-2520M

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $31 less on MSRP ($225 MSRP vs $256 MSRP).
✅Delivers 15.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 10.0 vs 8.6 PassMark/$ ($225 MSRP vs $256 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2520M better than Core 2 Duo E8700?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo E8700 is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2520M pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2520M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2520M is the better buy right now. Core i5-2520M comes in $31 cheaper on MSRP at $225 MSRP versus $256 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo E8700 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 15.3% better value on MSRP (10.0 vs 8.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-2520M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo E8700 vs Core i5-2520M Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo E8700

The Core 2 Duo E8700 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 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,212 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i5-2520M

The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo E8700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-2520M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M — a 9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8700 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2520M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8700 scores 2,212 against the Core i5-2520M's 2,241 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2520M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i5-2520M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+40%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	—	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,212	2,241+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo E8700 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-2520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i5-2520M
Socket	LGA775	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo E8700) / true (Core i5-2520M). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i5-2520M
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo E8700 was priced at $256, while the Core i5-2520M came in at $225. On launch pricing ($256 vs $225), Core i5-2520M was $31 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8700 delivers 8.6 pts/$ vs 10.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-2520M — making the Core i5-2520M the 14.2% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo E8700	Core i5-2520M
MSRP	$256	$225-12%
Performance per Dollar	8.6	10.0+16%
Release Date	2009	2011

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