Core i7-4500U vs Core 2 Duo P8400

Core i7-4500U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3 GHz2013

Core 2 Duo P8400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-4500U

2 / 4

2,490

0.0%

2,497

+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 i7-4500U is positioned at rank 1183 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 i7-4500U

#1171

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4687%

#1172

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4618%

#1173

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4240%

#1174

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4220%

#1175

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4182%

#1177

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4038%

#1178

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3872%

#1179

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3866%

#1180

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3762%

#1183

Core i7-4500U

MSRP: $398|Avg: N/A

100%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

98%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

97%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

96%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

96%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

93%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

90%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

90%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

89%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

87%

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 i7-4500U leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-4500U	Core 2 Duo P8400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)	✅ More affordable ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (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 97% cheaper ($10 vs $398) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-4500U	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+3891%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($398)	✅ 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 i7-4500U Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4500U and Core 2 Duo P8400

Core i7-4500U

The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.

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 i7-4500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 28.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4500U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i7-4500U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4500U scores 2,490 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8400. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400.

Feature	Core i7-4500U	Core 2 Duo P8400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+33%	2.26 GHz
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.26 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)+33%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	3 MB+1100%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell-ULT (2013)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,490	2,497

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4500U uses the FCBGA1168 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 1600 on the Core i7-4500U versus 1066 on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — the Core i7-4500U supports 40.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-4500U supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i7-4500U) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo P8400) — the Core i7-4500U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-U (Core i7-4500U) and GM45,GS45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo P8400).

Feature	Core i7-4500U	Core 2 Duo P8400
Socket	FCBGA1168	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1600+50%	1066
Max RAM Capacity	16+100%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	12	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Both support true virtualization. The Core i7-4500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.