Core i5-4260U vs Core 2 Duo T8100

Core i5-4260U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2014

Core 2 Duo T8100

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-4260U

2 / 4

2,311

0.0%

2,320

+0.4%

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 i5-4260U is positioned at rank 296 and the Core 2 Duo T8100 is on rank 38, so the Core 2 Duo T8100 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 i5-4260U

#86

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

MSRP: $500|Avg: $500

99%

#284

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

444%

#285

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

438%

#286

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

402%

#287

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

400%

#288

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

396%

#290

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

383%

#291

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

367%

#292

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

367%

#293

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

357%

#296

Core i5-4260U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T8100

#10

Ryzen 7 260

MSRP: $199|Avg: $70

92%

#26

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

190%

#27

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

187%

#28

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

172%

#29

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

171%

#30

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

169%

#32

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

163%

#33

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

157%

#34

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

156%

#35

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

152%

#38

Core 2 Duo T8100

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

100%

#39

Atom 330

MSRP: $43|Avg: $30

99%

#43

Core 2 Duo SU7300

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

97%

#51

Celeron N2807

MSRP: $107|Avg: $60

90%

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 i5-4260U (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-4260U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo T8100 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-4260U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($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 i5-4260U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T8100 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-4260U and Core 2 Duo T8100

Core i5-4260U

The Core i5-4260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,311 points. Launch price was $325.

Core 2 Duo T8100

The Core 2 Duo T8100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,320 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4260U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo T8100's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-4260U versus 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T8100 — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i5-4260U (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i5-4260U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4260U scores 2,311 against the Core 2 Duo T8100's 2,320 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo T8100. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4260U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T8100.

Feature	Core i5-4260U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+29%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.4 GHz	2.1 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	3 MB	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB	3 MB+500%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,311	2,320
Geekbench 6 Single	—	380
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4260U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo T8100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4260U	Core 2 Duo T8100
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	4 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-4260U) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T8100). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T8100 targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T8100 rivals Core 2 Duo T7250.