Core i3-3210 vs Core 2 Duo E8700
Core i3-3210
Core 2 Duo E8700
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 i3-3210 is positioned at rank 814 and the Core 2 Duo E8700 is on rank 1020, so the Core i3-3210 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3210
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+21%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($25) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
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 i3-3210 and Core 2 Duo E8700
Core i3-3210
The Core i3-3210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3072 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,229 points. Launch price was $120.
Core 2 Duo E8700
The Core 2 Duo E8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,212 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3210 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo E8700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i3-3210 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-3210 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3210 scores 2,229 against the Core 2 Duo E8700's 2,212 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i3-3210.
| Feature | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+9% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.5 GHz+9% |
| L3 Cache | 3072 kB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Wolfdale (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 2,229 | 2,212 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 505 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,113 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3210 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i3-3210) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E8700). The Core i3-3210 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3210 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i3-3210 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.
| Feature | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-3210 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo E8700 debuted at $256. At current prices ($25 vs $30), the Core i3-3210 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-3210 delivers 89.2 pts/$ vs 73.7 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E8700 — making the Core i3-3210 the 18.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-3210 | Core 2 Duo E8700 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117-54% | $256 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $25-17% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 89.2+21% | 73.7 |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2009 |
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