Core 2 Duo T8100 vs Core i5-4260U

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008

Core i5-4260U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 / 2

2,320

+0.4%

2,311

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 i5-4260U is on rank 296, 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 i5-4260U

#86

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

99%

#284

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

444%

#285

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

438%

#286

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

402%

#287

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

400%

#288

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

396%

#290

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

383%

#291

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

367%

#292

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

367%

#293

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

357%

#296

Core i5-4260U

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 i5-4260U (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4260U
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 i5-4260U
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 i5-4260U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T8100 and Core i5-4260U

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 i5-4260U

The Core i5-4260U 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 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: 2,311 points. Launch price was $325.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T8100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4260U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8100 versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4260U — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i5-4260U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T8100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4260U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T8100 scores 2,320 against the Core i5-4260U's 2,311 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo T8100. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8100 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4260U.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4260U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.7 GHz+29%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz+50%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB L2 Cache	3 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,320	2,311
Geekbench 6 Single	380	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	700	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T8100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-4260U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8100	Core i5-4260U
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	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T8100) / not specified (Core i5-4260U). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T8100 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T8100 rivals Core 2 Duo T7250.