Core 2 Duo T7250
VS
Core 2 Quad Q8400

Core 2 Duo T7250 vs Core 2 Quad Q8400

Intel

Core 2 Duo T7250

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2 GHz2007
VS
Intel

Core 2 Quad Q8400

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 0.67 GHz2009

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 T7250 is positioned at rank 20 and the Core 2 Quad Q8400 is on rank 975, so the Core 2 Duo T7250 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 T7250

#8
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
142%
#9
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
139%
#10
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
128%
#11
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
127%
#12
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
126%
#14
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
122%
#15
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
117%
#16
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
117%
#17
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
114%
#20
Core 2 Duo T7250
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#22
Core i3-3130M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
92%
#23
Core 2 Duo T5550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $5
88%
#24
Core 2 Duo T7100
MSRP: $197|Avg: $15
88%
#27
Pentium 2030M
MSRP: $134|Avg: N/A
84%
#28
Core 2 Duo T5750
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $8
84%
#29
Core 2 Duo T7200
MSRP: $286|Avg: $6
83%
#30
Core i5-3230M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $13
82%
#31
Atom D525
MSRP: $63|Avg: N/A
82%
#32
Atom x7835RE
MSRP: $127|Avg: N/A
82%
#33
Core 2 Duo P8400
MSRP: $209|Avg: $10
80%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q8400

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
27488%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
25974%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
18859%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
5681%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
4500%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
3937%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2255%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2225%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
2026%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
2026%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
2003%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1949%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1922%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1914%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1897%
#975
Core 2 Quad Q8400
MSRP: $183|Avg: $128
100%
#976
Pentium Dual-Core E2180
MSRP: $84|Avg: $5
99%
#977
Pentium E2180
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
99%
#978
Pentium Dual-Core E2140
MSRP: $74|Avg: $5
97%
#979
Core i7-960
MSRP: $309|Avg: $110
97%
#980
E1-1500
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
97%
#981
Core i5-2405S
MSRP: $309|Avg: $120
97%
#982
Celeron 420
MSRP: $39|Avg: $15
96%
#983
Athlon II X4 615e
MSRP: $186|Avg: $30
96%
#984
Athlon X2 BE-2350
MSRP: $90|Avg: $10
96%
#985
Core 2 Quad Q8300
MSRP: $179|Avg: $10
94%
#986
Core i7-860
MSRP: $284|Avg: $30
93%
#987
Core i7-870
MSRP: $300|Avg: $80
93%
#988
Athlon 64 X2 5000+
MSRP: $136|Avg: $42
92%
#989
Core i3-6102E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $35
92%
#990
Pentium Dual-Core E2160
MSRP: $84|Avg: $5
92%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T7250 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Quad Q8400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo T7250Core 2 Quad Q8400
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($128)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo T7250Core 2 Quad Q8400
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($128)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T7250 and Core 2 Quad Q8400

Intel

Core 2 Duo T7250

The Core 2 Duo T7250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,073 points. Launch price was $249.

Intel

Core 2 Quad Q8400

The Core 2 Quad Q8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7250 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7250 versus 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — a 99.6% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7250 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7250 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7250 scores 2,073 against the Core 2 Quad Q8400's 2,076 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T7250Core 2 Quad Q8400
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2 GHz+199%
0.67 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2.66 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
2 MB
4 MB (total)+100%
Process
65 nm
45 nm-31%
Architecture
Merom (2006−2008)
Yorkfield (2007−2009)
PassMark
2,073
2,076
Cinebench R23 Multi
852
Geekbench 6 Single
369
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,155
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7250 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7250 versus DDR3 1333 MHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7250) and Intel P45,Intel G41,Intel Q45,Intel X48,Intel G31 (Core 2 Quad Q8400).

FeatureCore 2 Duo T7250Core 2 Quad Q8400
Socket
PGA478
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
DDR2-667
DDR3 1333 MHz+50%
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7250) vs true (Core 2 Quad Q8400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7250 targets Budget, Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7250 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.

FeatureCore 2 Duo T7250Core 2 Quad Q8400
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
true
Target Use
Budget
Desktop