Pentium N3530 vs Core 2 Duo E8400

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 N3530 is positioned at rank 1156 and the Core 2 Duo E8400 is on rank 508, so the Core 2 Duo E8400 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 N3530

#1144

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4075%

#1145

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4015%

#1146

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3686%

#1147

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3669%

#1148

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3636%

#1150

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3511%

#1151

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3367%

#1152

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3361%

#1153

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3271%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

100%

#1158

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

99%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

98%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

98%

#1163

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

97%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

95%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1166

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1167

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1168

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

94%

#1170

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

94%

#1171

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8400

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

8028%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7585%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5508%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1659%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1314%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1150%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

659%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

650%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

592%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

592%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

585%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

569%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

561%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

559%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

554%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

97%

#373

Core i7-9700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $276

99%

#508

Core 2 Duo E8400

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#511

Athlon X4 880K

MSRP: $95|Avg: $25

99%

#515

Athlon X4 870K

MSRP: $90|Avg: $35

99%

#518

Pentium G2030T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $5

98%

#519

Athlon X4 730

MSRP: $60|Avg: $52

98%

#520

Core i3-7101E

MSRP: $117|Avg: $50

98%

#522

Athlon II X4 740

MSRP: $71|Avg: $20

97%

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 Pentium N3530 (2014) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium N3530	Core 2 Duo E8400
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Duo E8400 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium N3530	Core 2 Duo E8400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($20)	✅ More affordable ($0)

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.

Pentium N3530 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo E8400 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium N3530 and Core 2 Duo E8400

Pentium N3530

The Pentium N3530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.16 GHz, with boost up to 2.58 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 7.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,159 points. Launch price was $69.

Core 2 Duo E8400

The Core 2 Duo E8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,165 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium N3530 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo E8400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Pentium N3530 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.58 GHz on the Pentium N3530 versus 3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8400 — a 15.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8400 (base: 2.16 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Pentium N3530 uses the Bay Trail-M (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo E8400 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium N3530 scores 1,159 against the Core 2 Duo E8400's 1,165 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8400. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Pentium N3530 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E8400.

Feature	Pentium N3530	Core 2 Duo E8400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.58 GHz	3 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.16 GHz	3 GHz+39%
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB (total)+200%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Bay Trail-M (2013−2014)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,159	1,165

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium N3530 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo E8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.