Core 2 Duo P8400 vs A8-8600P

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

A8-8600P

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 / 2

2,497

+1.3%

2,464

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 P8400 is positioned at rank 33 and the A8-8600P is on rank 948, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 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 P8400

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

86%

#21

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

176%

#22

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

174%

#23

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

159%

#24

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

159%

#25

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

157%

#27

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

152%

#28

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

146%

#29

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

145%

#30

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

141%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

93%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

92%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar A8-8600P

#936

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1786%

#937

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1760%

#938

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1615%

#939

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1608%

#940

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1593%

#942

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1539%

#943

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1475%

#944

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1473%

#945

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1433%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

100%

#949

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

100%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

100%

#954

Core i7-5850EQ

MSRP: $435|Avg: $370

98%

#956

Core i7-4810MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#959

Celeron Dual-Core T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

97%

#960

Celeron 4305UE

MSRP: $107|Avg: $107

97%

#963

Core i7-10510U

MSRP: $409|Avg: N/A

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 A8-8600P (2015) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR3-2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	A8-8600P
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	A8-8600P
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+204%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)

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.

Core 2 Duo P8400 Benchmark Check

A8-8600P Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P8400 and A8-8600P

Core 2 Duo P8400

The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.

A8-8600P

The A8-8600P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,464 points. Launch price was $90.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A8-8600P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-8600P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 3 GHz on the A8-8600P — a 28.1% clock advantage for the A8-8600P (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-8600P uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8400 scores 2,497 against the A8-8600P's 2,464 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	A8-8600P
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+41%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2048 kB
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,497+1%	2,464
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,160
Geekbench 6 Single	—	499
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,300

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A8-8600P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus DDR3-2133 on the A8-8600P — the Core 2 Duo P8400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The A8-8600P supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo P8400) vs 12 (A8-8600P) — the A8-8600P offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400) and SoC (A8-8600P).

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	A8-8600P
Socket	PGA478	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	1066+35433%	DDR3-2133
Max RAM Capacity	8	16 GB+209715100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo P8400) vs AMD-V (A8-8600P). The A8-8600P includes integrated graphics (Radeon R6), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-8600P targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600; A8-8600P rivals Core i5-5200U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	A8-8600P
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Radeon R6
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo P8400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the A8-8600P debuted at $150. At current prices ($10 vs $30), the Core 2 Duo P8400 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo P8400 delivers 249.7 pts/$ vs 82.1 pts/$ for the A8-8600P — making the Core 2 Duo P8400 the 101% better value option.