Core 2 Duo T8100 vs Core i5-4210U

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008

Core i5-4210U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 / 2

2,320

+0.2%

2,316

0.0%

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 T8100 is positioned at rank 38 and the Core i5-4210U is on rank 214, so the Core 2 Duo T8100 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 T8100

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

92%

#26

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

190%

#27

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

187%

#28

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

172%

#29

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

171%

#30

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

169%

#32

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

163%

#33

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

157%

#34

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

156%

#35

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

152%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

99%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

97%

#51

Celeron N2807

MSRP: $107|Avg: $60

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210U

#57

Ryzen AI 9 365

MSRP: $400|Avg: $400

98%

#202

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

380%

#203

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

374%

#204

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

344%

#205

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

342%

#206

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

339%

#208

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

327%

#209

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

314%

#210

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

313%

#211

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

305%

#214

Core i5-4210U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 Core i5-4210U (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4210U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T8100 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4210U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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 T8100 Benchmark Check

Core i5-4210U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T8100 and Core i5-4210U

Core 2 Duo T8100

The Core 2 Duo T8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,320 points. Launch price was $209.

Core i5-4210U

The Core i5-4210U 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,316 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T8100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4210U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8100 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4210U — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i5-4210U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T8100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4210U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T8100 scores 2,320 against the Core i5-4210U's 2,316 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T8100. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 380 vs 763, a 67% lead for the Core i5-4210U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8100 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4210U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4210U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.7 GHz+29%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+24%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+1100%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,320	2,316
Geekbench 6 Single	380	763+101%
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T8100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-4210U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T8100 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i5-4210U — the Core i5-4210U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-4210U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo T8100) vs 12 (Core i5-4210U) — the Core i5-4210U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T8100) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210U).

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4210U
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-667	DDR3L-1600+50%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	16 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T8100) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210U). The Core i5-4210U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T8100 targets Legacy Laptop, Core i5-4210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T8100 rivals Core 2 Duo T7250; Core i5-4210U rivals A8-6410.