Core 2 Duo T7400 vs Core i3-4030U

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 T7400 vs Core i3-4030U 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 T7400 vs Core i3-4030U: 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 T7400

2006

Why buy it

✅Draws 4W instead of 512W, a 508W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,861 vs 1,876).

Core i3-4030U

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo T7400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌12700% higher power demand at 512W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-4030U better than Core 2 Duo T7400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T7400 is ahead with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4030U pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-4030U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i3-4030U is the better buy right now. Core i3-4030U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo T7400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i3-4030U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2006) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 T7400 vs Core i3-4030U Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T7400

The Core 2 Duo T7400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.16 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 34 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,861 points. Launch price was $286.

Core i3-4030U

The Core i3-4030U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,876 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T7400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4030U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.16 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7400 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i3-4030U — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7400 (base: 2.16 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T7400 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i3-4030U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T7400 scores 1,861 against the Core i3-4030U's 1,876 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-4030U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7400 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4030U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7400	Core i3-4030U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.16 GHz+14%	1.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.16 GHz+14%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB+700%	512 kB
Process	65 nm	22 nm-66%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,861	1,876
Geekbench 6 Single	310	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	550	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T7400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4030U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T7400	Core i3-4030U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	—
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—