The 3.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 CPU is a dual-core chip based on the 45nm 'Wolfdale' core that falls into the upper end of family, supplanted only by the relatively expensive Core 2 Duo E8600.

This socket 775 processor packs in 6MB of L2 cache and operates with a 1333MHz Front Side Bus speed. The Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 retails for around $230 CDN ($200 USD, £130 GBP), which makes it considerably more affordable than quad-core processors with equivalent clock speeds and cache.