Core i5-2520M vs Core 2 Duo E8700

Core i5-2520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011

Core 2 Duo E8700

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-2520M

2 / 4

2,241

+1.3%

2,212

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 i5-2520M is positioned at rank 1083 and the Core 2 Duo E8700 is on rank 1020, so the Core 2 Duo E8700 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 i5-2520M

#1071

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2946%

#1072

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2903%

#1073

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2665%

#1074

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2653%

#1075

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2628%

#1077

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2538%

#1078

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2434%

#1079

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2430%

#1080

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2364%

#1083

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1084

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

100%

#1089

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1090

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1092

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1093

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8700

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

36078%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

34090%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

24752%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

7457%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5907%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5167%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2959%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2921%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2659%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2659%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2630%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2559%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2523%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2513%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2490%

#396

Ryzen Embedded R2314

MSRP: $300|Avg: $762

89%

#1019

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

100%

#1020

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

100%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

99%

#1022

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

97%

#1023

Core i7-3960X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $60

97%

#1024

Celeron 2.70

MSRP: $49|Avg: $49

96%

#1026

A10 PRO-7850B

MSRP: $426|Avg: $140

94%

#1027

Core 2 Quad Q8200

MSRP: $224|Avg: $36

93%

#1028

A12-9800E

MSRP: $426|Avg: $150

93%

#1029

Phenom II X6 1065T

MSRP: $426|Avg: $170

93%

#1030

Celeron 440

MSRP: $59|Avg: $10

93%

#1031

A8-3820

MSRP: $280|Avg: $200

90%

#1032

Core i7-860S

MSRP: $299|Avg: $96

90%

#1034

Core 2 Duo E4700

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

88%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo E8700 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-2520M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-2520M	Core 2 Duo E8700
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($30)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo E8700 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 87% cheaper ($30 vs $225) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-2520M	Core 2 Duo E8700
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+640%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)	✅ More affordable ($30)

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 i5-2520M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo E8700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Duo E8700

Core i5-2520M

The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.

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 i5-2520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo E8700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M versus 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-2520M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2520M scores 2,241 against the Core 2 Duo E8700's 2,212 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-2520M.

Feature	Core i5-2520M	Core 2 Duo E8700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.5 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,241+1%	2,212

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2520M	Core 2 Duo E8700
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-2520M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo E8700). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo E8700 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.