Core 2 Duo T8300 vs Core i5-4300Y

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 T8300 vs Core i5-4300Y 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 T8300 vs Core i5-4300Y: 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 T8300

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 3W instead of 512W, a 509W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,472 vs 1,485).

Core i5-4300Y

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌16966.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4300Y better than Core 2 Duo T8300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo T8300 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300Y pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4300Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4300Y still makes the most sense overall. Core i5-4300Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark.

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

Core i5-4300Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008) 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 T8300 vs Core i5-4300Y Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T8300

The Core 2 Duo T8300 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 1,472 points. Launch price was $241.

Core i5-4300Y

The Core i5-4300Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,485 points. Launch price was $281.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T8300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4300Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8300 versus 2.3 GHz on the Core i5-4300Y — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T8300 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T8300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4300Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T8300 scores 1,472 against the Core i5-4300Y's 1,485 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-4300Y. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8300 vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4300Y.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8300	Core i5-4300Y
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+4%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+50%	1.6 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	1,472	1,485
Geekbench 6 Single	450	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	850	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T8300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-4300Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T8300	Core i5-4300Y
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—