Pentium E5400
VS
Core 2 Duo E4300

Pentium E5400 vs Core 2 Duo E4300

Intel

Pentium E5400

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2009
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo E4300

2 Cores2 Thrd65 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2006

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 Pentium E5400 is positioned at rank 830 and the Core 2 Duo E4300 is on rank 1015, so the Pentium E5400 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 Pentium E5400

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
17024%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
16086%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
11680%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
3519%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
2787%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
2438%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1397%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1378%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1255%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1255%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1241%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1207%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1190%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1186%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1175%
#295
Core i9-7940X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $275
99%
#829
Core i5-4570R
MSRP: $250|Avg: $20
100%
#830
Pentium E5400
MSRP: $55|Avg: $49
100%
#831
A6-3650
MSRP: $115|Avg: $20
100%
#832
Core i7-4770R
MSRP: $360|Avg: $89
100%
#834
Core i7-2600
MSRP: $294|Avg: $50
99%
#835
Pentium G870
MSRP: $86|Avg: $15
99%
#836
Athlon II X2 210e
MSRP: $60|Avg: $28
99%
#837
Pentium G645
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
99%
#839
Pentium G630
MSRP: $75|Avg: $46
99%
#840
Core i5-2550K
MSRP: $235|Avg: $46
98%
#841
Athlon II X4 600e
MSRP: $100|Avg: $20
98%
#842
Core i5-6442EQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: $250
98%
#843
Core i7-4785T
MSRP: $306|Avg: $32
98%
#844
Core i5-4690S
MSRP: $306|Avg: $189
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4300

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
35064%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
33132%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
24056%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
7247%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
5740%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
5022%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
2876%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
2839%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
2585%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
2584%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
2556%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
2487%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
2452%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
2442%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
2420%
#1015
Core 2 Duo E4300
MSRP: $113|Avg: $5
100%
#1017
Core 2 Duo E4500
MSRP: $133|Avg: $10
99%
#1019
Core 2 Duo E7600
MSRP: $133|Avg: $50
97%
#1020
Core i7-3970X
MSRP: $990|Avg: $60
97%
#1021
Core 2 Duo E8700
MSRP: $256|Avg: $30
97%
#1022
Core 2 Duo E6550
MSRP: $163|Avg: $20
96%
#1023
Phenom X3 8450
MSRP: $145|Avg: $147
95%
#1024
Core i7-3960X
MSRP: $999|Avg: $60
95%
#1025
Celeron 2.70
MSRP: $49|Avg: $49
94%
#1027
A10 PRO-7850B
MSRP: $426|Avg: $140
91%
#1028
Core 2 Quad Q8200
MSRP: $224|Avg: $36
91%
#1029
A12-9800E
MSRP: $426|Avg: $150
90%
#1030
Phenom II X6 1065T
MSRP: $426|Avg: $170
90%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Pentium E5400 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo E4300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightPentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($49)
More affordable ($5)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Duo E4300 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $5 (vs $49), it costs 90% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 878% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Pentium E5400.
InsightPentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+878%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($49)
More affordable ($5)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium E5400 and Core 2 Duo E4300

Intel

Pentium E5400

The Pentium E5400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,007 points. Launch price was $55.

Intel

Core 2 Duo E4300

The Core 2 Duo E4300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,005 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

Both the Pentium E5400 and Core 2 Duo E4300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium E5400 versus 1.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4300 — a 40% clock advantage for the Pentium E5400 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Pentium E5400 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E4300 uses Allendale (2006−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium E5400 scores 1,007 against the Core 2 Duo E4300's 1,005 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium E5400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

FeaturePentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz+50%
1.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.7 GHz+50%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
0 kB
L2 Cache
2 MB (total)
2 MB
Process
45 nm-31%
65 nm
Architecture
Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Allendale (2006−2009)
PassMark
1,007
1,005
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.

FeaturePentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
Socket
LGA775
LGA775
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
800
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium E5400) / false (Core 2 Duo E4300). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4300 rivals Athlon 64 X2 3800+.

FeaturePentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
false
💰

Value Analysis

The Pentium E5400 launched at $55 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo E4300 debuted at $113. At current prices ($49 vs $5), the Core 2 Duo E4300 is $44 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium E5400 delivers 20.6 pts/$ vs 201.0 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo E4300 — making the Core 2 Duo E4300 the 162.9% better value option.

FeaturePentium E5400Core 2 Duo E4300
MSRP
$55-51%
$113
Avg Price (30d)
$49
$5-90%
Performance per Dollar
20.6
201.0+876%
Release Date
2009
2006