Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2210

The Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2210 is a desktop processor released in 2009, built on the 45 nm Wolfdale architecture (part of the Core 2 family). It offers two physical cores with two threads, a fixed 2.20 GHz base clock (no boost), and a shared 1 MB L2 cache. The chip carries a 65 W TDP and uses the Intel Socket 775 platform. In the benchmark database, it holds a 50th-percentile standing among all CPUs, yet no benchmark scores are recorded for it (average score is 0). This makes quantitative analysis impossible, but the hardware specifications still allow a thorough qualitative assessment.

Benchmark Performance

The fact pack contains no benchmark scores for the E2210. The `avgBenchmarkScore` field is 0, and the `nearestRivals` list is empty, so there are no direct performance deltas to reference. The only numeric anchor is the 50th-percentile rank, which places this processor exactly at the median of the entire CPU database. That percentile is a relative measure, not an absolute score, and it suggests the E2210 is neither a standout performer nor a bottom-tier part in the historical context of all processors tracked.

Without benchmark data, we cannot state how it compares to any specific rival. However, the underlying specifications—two cores at 2.20 GHz, a 1 MB shared L2 cache, and a 45 nm process—indicate a modest dual-core design from the late 2000s. Such a configuration would have handled contemporary office tasks and light media playback, but it lacks the core count and cache capacity expected of modern workloads. The absence of a boost clock further caps sustained performance, as the CPU cannot temporarily increase frequency under load. In the database's percentile ranking, the 50th position implies average historical performance, but that ranking is based on the full dataset, not on any measured benchmarks for this specific part.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E2210 has exactly two cores and two threads, meaning it cannot execute more than two threads simultaneously. This is a fundamental limit for multi-threaded applications. The base clock of 2.20 GHz applies to both cores, and there is no turbo or boost mechanism, so the frequency remains constant regardless of workload. For single-threaded tasks, the 2.20 GHz clock is the sole determinant of raw speed, along with the efficiency of the Core 2 architecture. The 1 MB shared L2 cache is small by modern standards, which can increase memory latency when both cores compete for the same cache region.

In practice, the dual-core, dual-thread design means that heavily threaded software—such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or modern games that use four or more threads—will see limited performance. The CPU can only address two threads at a time, so any parallel workload beyond two threads will be serialized or context-switched. Conversely, single-threaded applications that rely on a high clock speed and low latency will benefit from the straightforward 2.20 GHz frequency. The lack of a boost clock means there is no headroom for short bursts of higher performance, so the CPU behaves predictably under sustained load. The 45 nm process and 228 million transistors suggest a relatively power-efficient core design for its era, but the small cache and fixed clock limit its ability to adapt to varying computational demands.

Power and Thermals

The E2210 is rated at a TDP of 65 W, a figure that reflects the maximum thermal design power the cooling solution must dissipate under sustained load. This is a moderate value for a dual-core desktop processor, especially one from the 45 nm generation. The 45 nm manufacturing process (with a die size of 82 mm² and 228 million transistors) indicates a relatively compact and power-conscious design. A 65 W TDP implies that a standard air cooler—such as a basic aluminum heatsink with a fan—would be sufficient to keep the CPU within safe operating temperatures. No boost clock means the power draw stays fairly constant, avoiding the spikes seen in processors with turbo modes.

The integrated graphics are not part of the CPU itself; rather, they are a chipset feature available on certain motherboards. This means the CPU's power budget is entirely dedicated to the compute cores. The absence of an integrated GPU also reduces the overall system power requirement compared to chips that include graphics. For a system built around the Socket 775 platform, the 65 W TDP is typical and well within the capabilities of most motherboards of that era. The end-of-life status suggests that no new cooling solutions are being designed for this part, but legacy coolers that support Socket 775 will work fine.

How It Compares

The fact pack does not list any nearest rivals, and no comparative scores or percentage deltas are available. Therefore, we cannot quantify how the E2210 stacks up against other CPUs. The only comparative metric is the 50th-percentile rank, which places it exactly in the middle of the database's historical CPU performance distribution. This indicates that, in the context of all processors ever recorded, the E2210 is an average performer—neither notably fast nor slow. Without rival names or scores, any specific comparison would be speculative and outside the bounds of the provided data.

Given the lack of rival data, the E2210's position is best described by its absolute specifications. A dual-core, dual-thread design with a 2.20 GHz clock and 1 MB L2 cache is characteristic of entry-level desktop processors from the 2009 era. It would sit below higher-end Core 2 Duo and Core 2 Quad parts in performance, but those are not listed as rivals in the pack. The 50th percentile is the only numerical anchor, and it suggests that the E2210 is not an outlier in either direction. In a database that includes everything from low-power embedded chips to high-end server CPUs, the 50th percentile is a reasonable representation of a mainstream desktop part of its time.

Platform and Compatibility

The E2210 uses the Intel Socket 775, a long-lived socket that supported a wide range of Intel processors from the Pentium 4 through the Core 2 Quad era. The memory controller is not integrated on the CPU; instead, it resides on the motherboard chipset, which allows support for three memory types: DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3. This is unusual, as most CPUs are limited to one or two memory generations. The dual-channel memory bus means that two memory modules can be accessed simultaneously, improving bandwidth for memory-intensive tasks. However, the actual memory speed supported depends on the chipset and motherboard, not the CPU itself.

The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, which is sufficient for the graphics cards and expansion cards of its generation. Integrated graphics are not built into the CPU; they are a feature of certain chipsets (e.g., Intel G41 or G43), so a discrete graphics card is required for display output unless the motherboard includes a chipset with integrated graphics. The E2210 does not support ECC memory, as indicated by the `eccMemory: false` field. The production status is end-of-life, meaning Intel has discontinued the part, and no new motherboards are being produced for Socket 775. This limits the upgrade path: users are restricted to used or remaining stock of compatible motherboards and CPUs.

Who Should Consider It

Given the lack of benchmark scores, recommendations must be based on the hardware specifications alone. The E2210 is a dual-core processor with a fixed 2.20 GHz clock and 1 MB L2 cache, which makes it suitable for basic computing tasks that are not heavily threaded. Office productivity applications—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing—are typically single-threaded or lightly threaded, so the E2210 can handle them without issue. It can also manage standard-definition video playback and legacy 2D games. However, modern software, especially operating systems and browsers with multiple background processes, may strain the two-thread limit.

For gaming, the E2210 is not a viable choice for contemporary titles, which require at least four cores and higher clock speeds. Even older 3D games from the late 2000s would run, but performance would be limited by the modest cache and lack of boost. For content creation, the absence of multi-threading means video encoding, 3D rendering, and photo editing will be slow. The 50th-percentile rank suggests that, historically, this CPU was average, but that average is from an era when dual-core was common. Users who need a basic, low-cost system for light office work or as a retro gaming machine might consider the E2210, but they must be aware of its end-of-life status and the difficulty of finding compatible components.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2210?

A: The base clock is 2.20 GHz. There is no boost clock, so this is the maximum sustained frequency.

Q: How many cores and threads does the E2210 have?

A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads, meaning it can execute two threads concurrently.

Q: What socket does the E2210 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 775 (LGA775).

Q: Does the E2210 support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the E2210?

A: The TDP is 65 W.

Q: Is the E2210 still in production?

A: No, it is marked as end-of-life. It was released in 2009.