Core 2 Duo P8600 vs Core i3-5157U

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo P8600

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2008

Core i3-5157U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P8600

2 / 2

2,618

+1.0%

2,593

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 P8600 is positioned at rank 160 and the Core i3-5157U is on rank 663, so the Core 2 Duo P8600 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 P8600

#148

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

336%

#149

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

331%

#150

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

304%

#151

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

303%

#152

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

300%

#154

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

290%

#155

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

278%

#156

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

277%

#157

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

270%

#160

Core 2 Duo P8600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5157U

#651

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

905%

#652

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

892%

#653

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

819%

#654

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

815%

#655

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

808%

#657

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

780%

#658

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

748%

#659

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

747%

#660

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

727%

#663

Core i3-5157U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#665

Athlon X2 QL-64

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

100%

#666

Core 3 N350

MSRP: $225|Avg: $220

99%

#668

FX-7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $25

99%

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 Core i3-5157U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-5157U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8600 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-5157U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 P8600 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5157U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P8600 and Core i3-5157U

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 i3-5157U

The Core i3-5157U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,593 points. Launch price was $315.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8600 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-5157U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-5157U — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-5157U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5157U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8600 scores 2,618 against the Core i3-5157U's 2,593 — a 1% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8600. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8600 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5157U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-5157U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,618	2,593
Geekbench 6 Single	—	793

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8600 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-5157U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-5157U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo P8600) vs 12 (Core i3-5157U) — the Core 2 Duo P8600 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8600	Core i3-5157U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	LPDDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo P8600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5157U). The Core i3-5157U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 6100), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5157U targets Premium Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5157U rivals A12-8800B.