Core i3-4100E vs Core 2 Duo T7400

Core i3-4100E

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo T7400

2 Cores2 Thrd4 WWMax: 2.16 GHz2006

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-4100E

2 / 4

1,848

0.0%

1,861

+0.7%

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 i3-4100E is positioned at rank 1127 and the Core 2 Duo T7400 is on rank 1027, so the Core 2 Duo T7400 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 i3-4100E

#1114

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3574%

#1115

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3521%

#1116

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3233%

#1117

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3218%

#1118

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3189%

#1120

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3079%

#1121

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2952%

#1122

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2948%

#1123

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2868%

#1126

Pentium Dual Core T4300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $99

100%

#1127

Core i3-4100E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#1128

Core i7-3520M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1129

Core i3-2310E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $20

100%

#1130

Core i5-2510E

MSRP: $230|Avg: $30

100%

#1131

Core m5-6Y54

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1133

Core i3-2330E

MSRP: $225|Avg: $10

99%

#1134

Core i5-4288U

MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A

95%

#1135

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1136

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

94%

#1137

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

94%

#1138

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

#1140

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

93%

#1141

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T7400

#1015

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2364%

#1016

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2330%

#1017

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2139%

#1018

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2129%

#1019

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2109%

#1021

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2037%

#1022

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1953%

#1023

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1950%

#1024

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1898%

#1027

Core 2 Duo T7400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1028

Celeron B840

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

100%

#1029

Celeron M 743

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

100%

#1030

Core i7-3612QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#1031

Pentium 967

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

99%

#1032

Core i5-4400E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $50

98%

#1034

Pentium Dual Core T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

97%

#1037

Core i7-8665UE

MSRP: $409|Avg: $409

96%

#1038

Celeron T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1039

Celeron Dual-Core T3300

MSRP: $86|Avg: $30

94%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

93%

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 i3-4100E (2013) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-4100E	Core 2 Duo T7400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T7400 (2006) relies on 65 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-4100E	Core 2 Duo T7400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ 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 i3-4100E Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T7400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-4100E and Core 2 Duo T7400

Core i3-4100E

The Core i3-4100E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 512 kB + 3 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,848 points. Launch price was $225.

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 i3-4100E packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T7400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4100E versus 2.16 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7400 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-4100E (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.16 GHz). The Core i3-4100E uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7400 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100E scores 1,848 against the Core 2 Duo T7400's 1,861 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T7400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 550 vs 310, a 55.8% lead for the Core i3-4100E that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4100E vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7400.

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Core 2 Duo T7400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz+11%	2.16 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+11%	2.16 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	4 MB+1500%
Process	22 nm-66%	65 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Merom (2006−2008)
PassMark	1,848	1,861
Geekbench 6 Single	550+77%	310
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	550

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-4100E uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-4100E versus DDR2-667 on the Core 2 Duo T7400 — the Core i3-4100E supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-4100E 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: QM87,HM86,HM87 (Core i3-4100E) and 945GT,GME965 (Core 2 Duo T7400).

Feature	Core i3-4100E	Core 2 Duo T7400
Socket	BGA1364	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+50%	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+300%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	✅	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-4100E) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7400). The Core i3-4100E includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core 2 Duo T7400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100E targets Embedded, Core 2 Duo T7400 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-4100E rivals Embedded R-Series.