Core 2 Duo P8400 vs Core i5-3210M

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 / 2

2,497

+1.1%

2,469

0.0%

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 i5-3210M is on rank 158, 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 i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-3210M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i5-3210M
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 (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo P8400 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 67% cheaper ($10 vs $30) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i5-3210M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+203%)	❌ 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

Core i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P8400 and Core i5-3210M

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 i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-3210M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3210M uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8400 scores 2,497 against the Core i5-3210M's 2,469 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i5-3210M
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	3.1 GHz+37%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.5 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,497+1%	2,469
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,400

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-3210M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M — the Core 2 Duo P8400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3210M 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 i5-3210M) — the Core i5-3210M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400) and HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M).

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i5-3210M
Socket	PGA478	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	1066+35433%	DDR3-1600
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 i5-3210M). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600; Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8400	Core i5-3210M
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo P8400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the Core i5-3210M debuted at $225. 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 82.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-3210M — making the Core 2 Duo P8400 the 100.8% better value option.