Core i7-870S vs Core 2 Duo P8700

Core i7-870S

4 Cores8 Thrd82 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2010

Core 2 Duo P8700

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.53 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-870S

4 / 8

2,765

0.0%

2,805

+1.4%

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 i7-870S is positioned at rank 1008 and the Core 2 Duo P8700 is on rank 140, so the Core 2 Duo P8700 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 i7-870S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33809%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31946%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

23195%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6988%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5535%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4842%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2773%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2737%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2492%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2492%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2464%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2398%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2364%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2355%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2333%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

100%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

99%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

99%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

98%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

98%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

98%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

96%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Core 2 Duo E7600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $50

94%

#1020

Core i7-3970X

MSRP: $990|Avg: $60

94%

#1021

Core 2 Duo E8700

MSRP: $256|Avg: $30

94%

#1022

Core 2 Duo E6550

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1023

Phenom X3 8450

MSRP: $145|Avg: $147

91%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8700

#36

Core i5-11500B

MSRP: $185|Avg: $185

99%

#128

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

314%

#129

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

309%

#130

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

284%

#131

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

283%

#132

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

280%

#134

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

270%

#135

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

259%

#136

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

259%

#137

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

252%

#140

Core 2 Duo P8700

MSRP: $241|Avg: $85

100%

#147

Atom N2800

MSRP: $47|Avg: $3

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-870S leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo P8700 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 1.4% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i7-870S	Core 2 Duo P8700
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($80)	⚠️ Higher cost ($85)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i7-870S stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 6% cheaper ($80 vs $85) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-870S	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+5%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($80)	⚠️ Higher cost ($85)

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 i7-870S Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P8700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-870S and Core 2 Duo P8700

Core i7-870S

The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo P8700

The Core 2 Duo P8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 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: 2,805 points. Launch price was $209.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-870S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8700 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-870S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8700 — a 34.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-870S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Core 2 Duo P8700's 2,805 — a 1.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo P8700. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8700.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Core 2 Duo P8700
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+42%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+5%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+167%	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	3 MB+1100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,765	2,805+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-870S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Core 2 Duo P8700
Socket	LGA1156	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	—	1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-870S) / true (Core 2 Duo P8700). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8700 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.

Feature	Core i7-870S	Core 2 Duo P8700
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-870S launched at $300 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo P8700 debuted at $241. At current prices ($80 vs $85), the Core i7-870S is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-870S delivers 34.6 pts/$ vs 33.0 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo P8700 — making the Core i7-870S the 4.6% better value option.