Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-3250T
Core 2 Duo P8600
Core i3-3250T
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 P8600 is positioned at rank 160 and the Core i3-3250T is on rank 811, so the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8600
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3250T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo P8600 | Core i3-3250T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo P8600 | Core i3-3250T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
Performance Check
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 P8600 and Core i3-3250T
Core 2 Duo P8600
The Core 2 Duo P8600 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 2,618 points. Launch price was $209.
Core i3-3250T
The Core i3-3250T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,650 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo P8600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-3250T's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3250T — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i3-3250T (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-3250T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8600 scores 2,618 against the Core i3-3250T's 2,650 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i3-3250T. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3250T.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8600 | Core i3-3250T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3 GHz+25% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 3 GHz+25% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB L2 Cache | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+1100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,618 | 2,650+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-3250T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-3250T supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8600) and H61,B75,H77,Z77 (Core i3-3250T).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8600 | Core i3-3250T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo P8600) / not specified (Core i3-3250T). The Core i3-3250T includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2500), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 requires a dedicated GPU.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8600 | Core i3-3250T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 2500 |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
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