Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Core i7-870S

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.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Core i7-870S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Core i7-870S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Duo P8700

2009

Why buy it

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $59 less on MSRP ($241 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.6 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 82W, a 79W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-870S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-870S

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,765 vs 2,805).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
❌2633.3% higher power demand at 82W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Duo P8700 better than Core i7-870S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-870S is ahead with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8700 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark. Core i7-870S also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo P8700 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 2 Duo P8700 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Duo P8700 comes in $59 cheaper on MSRP at $241 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-870S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 26.3% better value on MSRP (11.6 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-870S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs Core i7-870S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core i7-870S offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S — a 34.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-870S uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8700 scores 2,805 against the Core i7-870S's 2,765 — a 1.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8700. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Core i7-870S
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.6 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,805+1%	2,765

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-870S uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Core i7-870S
Socket	PGA478	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo P8700) / not specified (Core i7-870S). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Core i7-870S
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo P8700 was priced at $241, while the Core i7-870S came in at $300. On launch pricing ($241 vs $300), Core 2 Duo P8700 was $59 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo P8700 delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-870S — making the Core 2 Duo P8700 the 23.2% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	Core i7-870S
MSRP	$241-20%	$300
Performance per Dollar	11.6+26%	9.2
Release Date	2009	2010

Search Core 2 Duo P8700 on Amazon

Search Core i7-870S on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.