Core i5-3210M vs Core 2 Duo P8400

CPU

GPU

Core i5-3210M

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3210M

2 / 4

2,469

0.0%

2,497

+1.1%

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 i5-3210M is positioned at rank 158 and the Core 2 Duo P8400 is on rank 33, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 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 i5-3210M

#42

Ryzen 9 9955HX3D

MSRP: $749|Avg: N/A

100%

#146

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

333%

#147

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

328%

#148

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

301%

#149

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

300%

#150

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

297%

#152

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

287%

#153

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

275%

#154

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

274%

#155

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

267%

#158

Core i5-3210M

MSRP: $225|Avg: $30

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8400

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

86%

#21

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

176%

#22

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

174%

#23

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

159%

#24

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

159%

#25

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

157%

#27

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

152%

#28

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

146%

#29

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

145%

#30

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

141%

#33

Core 2 Duo P8400

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

93%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

92%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

90%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-3210M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.1% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core 2 Duo P8400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo P8400 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 67% cheaper ($10 vs $30) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-3210M	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+203%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($30)	✅ More affordable ($10)

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 i5-3210M Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3210M and Core 2 Duo P8400

Core i5-3210M

The Core i5-3210M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,469 points. Launch price was $225.

Core 2 Duo P8400

The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3210M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-3210M versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3210M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i5-3210M uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3210M scores 2,469 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3210M vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+37%	2.26 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+11%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	3 MB+1100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,469	2,497+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,400	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3210M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3210M versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — the Core 2 Duo P8400 supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3210M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-3210M) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo P8400) — the Core i5-3210M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM76,HM77 (Core i5-3210M) and GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400).

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core 2 Duo P8400
Socket	BGA1023	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1066+35433%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+419430300%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3210M) vs true (Core 2 Duo P8400). The Core i5-3210M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3210M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3210M rivals AMD A10-4600M; Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core i5-3210M	Core 2 Duo P8400
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 4000	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	true
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3210M launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 debuted at $209. At current prices ($30 vs $10), the Core 2 Duo P8400 is $20 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3210M delivers 82.3 pts/$ vs 249.7 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo P8400 — making the Core 2 Duo P8400 the 100.8% better value option.