Core 2 Duo P8400
VS
Core i7-4500U

Core 2 Duo P8400 vs Core i7-4500U

Intel

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Core i7-4500U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

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 P8400 is positioned at rank 33 and the Core i7-4500U is on rank 1183, 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 i7-4500U

#1171
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
4687%
#1172
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
4618%
#1173
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
4240%
#1174
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
4220%
#1175
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
4182%
#1177
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
4038%
#1178
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
3872%
#1179
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
3866%
#1180
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
3762%
#1183
Core i7-4500U
MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A
100%
#1185
Athlon Neo X2 L325
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
98%
#1186
Core i3-2370M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
97%
#1187
Core i3-3217UE
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
97%
#1188
Celeron T3000
MSRP: $150|Avg: $54
96%
#1189
Core m7-6Y75
MSRP: $393|Avg: $393
96%
#1190
Core M-5Y10
MSRP: $281|Avg: $20
93%
#1193
Celeron 900
MSRP: $86|Avg: $5
90%
#1194
Pentium T3400
MSRP: $150|Avg: $90
90%
#1195
Core 2 Solo SU3500
MSRP: $262|Avg: $15
89%
#1196
Core 2 Duo E8335
MSRP: $200|Avg: $50
87%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-4500U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($398)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (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 97% cheaper ($10 vs $398) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
Cost Efficiency
Better overall value (+3891%)
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($10)
⚠️ Higher cost ($398)

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 P8400 and Core i7-4500U

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i7-4500U

The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-4500U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U — a 28.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4500U (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-4500U uses Haswell-ULT (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8400 scores 2,497 against the Core i7-4500U's 2,490 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U.

FeatureCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.26 GHz
3 GHz+33%
Base Clock
2.26 GHz+26%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB L2 Cache
4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache
3 MB+1100%
256K (per core)
Process
45 nm
22 nm-51%
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Haswell-ULT (2013)
PassMark
2,497
2,490
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-4500U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 1600 on the Core i7-4500U — the Core i7-4500U supports 40.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-4500U supports up to 16 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 (Core i7-4500U) — the Core i7-4500U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400) and Haswell-U (Core i7-4500U).

FeatureCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
Socket
PGA478
FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed
1066
1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity
8
16+100%
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Both support true virtualization. The Core i7-4500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

FeatureCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
Intel HD Graphics 4400
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
true
Target Use
Mobile
💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo P8400 launched at $209 MSRP, while the Core i7-4500U debuted at $398.

FeatureCore 2 Duo P8400Core i7-4500U
MSRP
$209-47%
$398
Avg Price (30d)
$10
Release Date
2008
2013