3015Ce vs Core 2 Duo SP9400

3015Ce vs Core 2 Duo SP9400 Performance Spectrum

3015Ce

2 / 4

2,099

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo SP9400

2 / 2

2,083

0.0%

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

3015Ce vs Core 2 Duo SP9400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

3015Ce vs Core 2 Duo SP9400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

3015Ce

2020

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 1W instead of 6W, a 5W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (8 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Graphics (2-Core), while Core 2 Duo SP9400 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SP9400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core 2 Duo SP9400

2008

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,083 vs 2,099).
❌500% higher power demand at 6W vs 1W.
❌No integrated graphics, while 3015Ce can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is 3015Ce better than Core 2 Duo SP9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Duo SP9400 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, 3015Ce pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core 2 Duo SP9400 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, 3015Ce is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

3015Ce is the better buy right now. 3015Ce comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SP9400 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

3015Ce makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

3015Ce vs Core 2 Duo SP9400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

3015Ce

The 3015Ce is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FT5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,099 points. Launch price was $50.

Core 2 Duo SP9400

The Core 2 Duo SP9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,083 points. Launch price was $284.

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Processing Power

The 3015Ce packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SP9400's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the 3015Ce versus 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9400 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The 3015Ce uses the Pollock (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the 3015Ce scores 2,099 against the Core 2 Duo SP9400's 2,083 — a 0.8% lead for the 3015Ce. L3 cache: 4 MB on the 3015Ce vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9400.

Feature	3015Ce	Core 2 Duo SP9400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	2.4 GHz+4%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	4 MB	6 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB+500%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Pollock (Zen) (2020)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,099	2,083
Geekbench 6 Single	—	340
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	600

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Memory & Platform

The 3015Ce uses the FT5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the 3015Ce versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 — the 3015Ce supports 50.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The 3015Ce supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (3015Ce) vs 2 (Core 2 Duo SP9400). Chipset compatibility: FP5 (3015Ce) and GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9400).

Feature	3015Ce	Core 2 Duo SP9400
Socket	FT5	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	1600+50%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+100%	8 GB
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	8	—

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (3015Ce) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9400). The 3015Ce includes integrated graphics (Radeon Graphics (2-Core)), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SP9400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: 3015Ce rivals Celeron N4020; Core 2 Duo SP9400 rivals Athlon II X2 245e.