Core 2 Duo E8500 vs Core i7-975

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-975
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.20
+172%
Core 2 Duo E8500
2008
2 cores / 2 threads, 65 Watt
0.81

Core i7-975 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8500 by a whopping 172% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking18452607
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.12no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency1.591.17
Architecture codenameBloomfield (2008−2010)Wolfdale (2008−2010)
Release date2 June 2009 (15 years ago)January 2008 (16 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$476no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-975 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads82
Base clock speed3.33 GHz3.16 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.17 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHz1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)6 MB (shared)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography45 nm45 nm
Die size263 mm2107 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)68 °C72 °C
Number of transistors731 million410 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-
VID voltage rangeno data0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-975 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
SocketFCLGA1366LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt65 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Demand Based Switching--
PAE36 Bitno data
FSB parityno data-

Security technologies

Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GBno data
Max memory channels3no data
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500.

PCIe version2.0no 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.

i7-975 2.20
+172%
Core 2 Duo E8500 0.81

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.

i7-975 3494
+173%
Core 2 Duo E8500 1281

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.

i7-975 539
+38.6%
Core 2 Duo E8500 389

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.

i7-975 1884
+195%
Core 2 Duo E8500 638

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.20 0.81
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 2
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 65 Watt

i7-975 has a 171.6% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 300% more threads.

Core 2 Duo E8500, on the other hand, has 100% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-975 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Duo E8500 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-975 and Core 2 Duo E8500, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-975
Core i7-975
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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