Core i3-2100 vs Core 2 Duo T7400
Core i3-2100
Core 2 Duo T7400
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 i3-2100 is positioned at rank 885 and the Core 2 Duo T7400 is on rank 1027, so the Core i3-2100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2100
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2100 | Core 2 Duo T7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2100 | Core 2 Duo T7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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 i3-2100 and Core 2 Duo T7400
Core i3-2100
The Core i3-2100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,856 points. Launch price was $73.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2100 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2100 versus 2.16 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7400 — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-2100 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i3-2100 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7400 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2100 scores 1,856 against the Core 2 Duo T7400's 1,861 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7400. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2100 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7400.
| Feature | Core i3-2100 | Core 2 Duo T7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+44% | 2.16 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+44% | 2.16 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,856 | 1,861 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 310 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 550 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2100 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-2100 | Core 2 Duo T7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 4 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-2100) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7400 targets Legacy Laptop.
| Feature | Core i3-2100 | Core 2 Duo T7400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Laptop |
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