Core 2 Duo P8700 vs FX-8800P

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs FX-8800P Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 / 2

2,805

0.0%

2,833

+1.0%

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.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs FX-8800P 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 FX-8800P: 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

✅Draws 3W instead of 15W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8800P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,805 vs 2,833).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 11.6 vs 18.9 PassMark/$ ($241 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

FX-8800P

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $91 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).
✅Delivers 62.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.9 vs 11.6 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $241 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌400% higher power demand at 15W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8800P better than Core 2 Duo P8700?

Yes. FX-8800P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-8800P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-8800P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-8800P is the better buy right now. FX-8800P comes in $91 cheaper on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $241 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 62.3% better value on MSRP (18.9 vs 11.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-8800P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo P8700 vs FX-8800P 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.

FX-8800P

The FX-8800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,833 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo P8700 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the FX-8800P offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the FX-8800P has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 versus 3.4 GHz on the FX-8800P — a 29.3% clock advantage for the FX-8800P (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the FX-8800P uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8700 scores 2,805 against the FX-8800P's 2,833 — a 1% lead for the FX-8800P.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	FX-8800P
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.4 GHz+34%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz+20%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2048 kB
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,805	2,833

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo P8700 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the FX-8800P uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	FX-8800P
Socket	PGA478	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
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 (FX-8800P). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	FX-8800P
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 FX-8800P came in at $150. On launch pricing ($241 vs $150), FX-8800P was $91 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo P8700 delivers 11.6 pts/$ vs 18.9 pts/$ for the FX-8800P — making the FX-8800P the 47.5% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo P8700	FX-8800P
MSRP	$241	$150-38%
Performance per Dollar	11.6	18.9+63%
Release Date	2009	2015

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