Core 2 Duo P8400 vs Core i3-4100M

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Core i3-4100M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2013

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 / 2

2,497

0.0%

2,531

+1.4%

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 Core i3-4100M is on rank 114, 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 Core i3-4100M

#31

Ryzen 5 230

MSRP: $200|Avg: $190

100%

#102

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

290%

#103

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

286%

#104

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

262%

#105

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

261%

#106

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

259%

#108

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

250%

#109

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

239%

#110

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

239%

#111

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

233%

#114

Core i3-4100M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $99

100%

#126

Celeron N4000

MSRP: $107|Avg: $30

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i3-4100M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo P8400 in both compute-intensive tasks (1.4% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i3-4100M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo P8400 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $10 (vs $99), it costs 90% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 877% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i3-4100M.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i3-4100M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+877%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($10)	⚠️ Higher cost ($99)

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

Core i3-4100M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P8400 and Core i3-4100M

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.

Core i3-4100M

The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4100M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M — a 10.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4100M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4100M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8400 scores 2,497 against the Core i3-4100M's 2,531 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i3-4100M. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i3-4100M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.5 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.5 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,497	2,531+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4100M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100M — the Core 2 Duo P8400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4100M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo P8400) vs 16 (Core i3-4100M) — the Core i3-4100M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i3-4100M
Socket	PGA478	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	1066+35433%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8	32 GB+419430300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Duo P8400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i3-4100M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	HD Graphics 4600
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo P8400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the Core i3-4100M debuted at $225. At current prices ($10 vs $99), the Core 2 Duo P8400 is $89 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo P8400 delivers 249.7 pts/$ vs 25.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-4100M — making the Core 2 Duo P8400 the 162.8% better value option.