Core i5-4258U vs Core 2 Duo P8600

Core i5-4258U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo P8600

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-4258U

2 / 4

2,610

0.0%

2,618

+0.3%

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 i5-4258U is positioned at rank 161 and the Core 2 Duo P8600 is on rank 160, so the Core 2 Duo P8600 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 i5-4258U

#148

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

337%

#149

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

332%

#150

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

305%

#151

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

304%

#152

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

301%

#154

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

291%

#155

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

279%

#156

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

278%

#157

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

271%

#161

Core i5-4258U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#172

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

#175

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8600

#148

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

336%

#149

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

331%

#150

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

304%

#151

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

303%

#152

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

300%

#154

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

290%

#155

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

278%

#156

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

277%

#157

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

270%

#160

Core 2 Duo P8600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#173

Celeron N3060

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-4258U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8600 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-4258U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i5-4258U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-4258U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8600 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4258U and Core 2 Duo P8600

Core i5-4258U

The Core i5-4258U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 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 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $342.

Core 2 Duo P8600

The Core 2 Duo P8600 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 2,618 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4258U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8600's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-4258U versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8600 — a 18.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4258U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-4258U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4258U scores 2,610 against the Core 2 Duo P8600's 2,618 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8600. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-4258U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8600.

Feature	Core i5-4258U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+21%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 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	Haswell (2013−2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,610	2,618

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4258U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8600 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4258U	Core 2 Duo P8600
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16