Core 2 Duo E8500 vs Core i3-3250

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Aggregate performance score

Core i3-3250
2013
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.60
+92.8%

Core i3-3250 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8500 by an impressive 93% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21142594
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.16no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency2.651.16
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Release date9 June 2013 (11 years ago)January 2008 (16 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$138no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads42
Base clock speed3.5 GHz3.16 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.17 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)6 MB (shared)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography22 nm45 nm
Die size94 mm2107 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)65 °C72 °C
Number of transistorsno data410 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage rangeno data0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)55 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXno data
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDI+no data
FSB parityno data-

Security technologies

Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key-no data
Identity Protection+-
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3-1333, DDR3-1600DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.05 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i3-3250 1.60
+92.8%
Core 2 Duo E8500 0.83

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i3-3250 2442
+91.8%
Core 2 Duo E8500 1273

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i3-3250 583
+50.3%
Core 2 Duo E8500 388

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i3-3250 1189
+87.5%
Core 2 Duo E8500 634

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.60 0.83
Threads 4 2
Chip lithography 22 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 55 Watt 65 Watt

i3-3250 has a 92.8% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more threads, a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 18.2% lower power consumption.

The Core i3-3250 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Duo E8500 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i3-3250 and Core 2 Duo E8500, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i3-3250
Core i3-3250
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
Core 2 Duo E8500

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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