Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Athlon PRO 3045B

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Athlon PRO 3045B

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2021

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 / 2

2,805

+1.3%

2,770

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 P8700 is positioned at rank 140 and the Athlon PRO 3045B is on rank 1177, so the Core 2 Duo P8700 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 P8700

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

99%

#128

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

314%

#129

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

309%

#130

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

284%

#131

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

283%

#132

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

280%

#134

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

270%

#135

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

259%

#136

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

259%

#137

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

252%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

100%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon PRO 3045B

#1164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4514%

#1165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4448%

#1166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4083%

#1167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4065%

#1168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4027%

#1170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3889%

#1171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3729%

#1172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3723%

#1173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3623%

#1176

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

100%

#1177

Athlon PRO 3045B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $180

100%

#1178

Core 2 Duo T5600

MSRP: $241|Avg: N/A

100%

#1179

Pentium N3510

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1180

Core i7-7Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $285

99%

#1182

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

96%

#1184

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

95%

#1185

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1186

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

93%

#1187

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

93%

#1188

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

92%

#1189

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

90%

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 Athlon PRO 3045B (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8700	Athlon PRO 3045B
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($85)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Dali (2020−2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo P8700 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo P8700	Athlon PRO 3045B
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+114%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($85)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)

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 P8700 Benchmark Check

Athlon PRO 3045B Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo P8700 and Athlon PRO 3045B

Core 2 Duo P8700

The Core 2 Duo P8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.

Athlon PRO 3045B

The Athlon PRO 3045B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Dali (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,770 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Athlon PRO 3045B's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 versus 3.2 GHz on the Athlon PRO 3045B — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Athlon PRO 3045B (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon PRO 3045B uses Dali (2020−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8700 scores 2,805 against the Athlon PRO 3045B's 2,770 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8700. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700 vs 4 MB (total) on the Athlon PRO 3045B.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Athlon PRO 3045B
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.2 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+10%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Dali (2020−2021)
PassMark	2,805+1%	2,770

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon PRO 3045B uses FP5 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8700 versus DDR4-2400 on the Athlon PRO 3045B — the Core 2 Duo P8700 supports 198.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon PRO 3045B 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 P8700) vs 8 (Athlon PRO 3045B) — the Athlon PRO 3045B offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8700) and AMD FP5 (Athlon PRO 3045B).

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Athlon PRO 3045B
Socket	PGA478	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	1066+26550%	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	8	32 GB+419430300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	8

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo P8700) / not specified (Athlon PRO 3045B). The Athlon PRO 3045B includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Vega 3), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Athlon PRO 3045B
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	None	AMD Radeon Vega 3
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Duo P8700 launched at $241 MSRP, while the Athlon PRO 3045B debuted at $426. At current prices ($85 vs $180), the Core 2 Duo P8700 is $95 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo P8700 delivers 33.0 pts/$ vs 15.4 pts/$ for the Athlon PRO 3045B — making the Core 2 Duo P8700 the 72.8% better value option.