Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 vs AMD FX-4300
The AMD FX-4300 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 40%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 | AMD FX-4300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 10/100 | 14/100 |
| Tier | F | F |
| Manufacturer | Intel | AMD |
| Cores | 2 | 4 |
| Threads | 2 | 4 |
| Base clock | 3 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 3 GHz | 4 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 65 W | 95 W |
| Release year | 2008 | 2012 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the AMD FX-4300 is the better buy — it holds a 40% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD FX-4300 has more cores (4 vs 2), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 runs 30W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.