A8-3530MX vs Core 2 Quad Q9000
A8-3530MX
Core 2 Quad Q9000
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A8-3530MX is positioned at rank 763 and the Core 2 Quad Q9000 is on rank 1216, so the A8-3530MX offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3530MX
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9000
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3530MX | Core 2 Quad Q9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3530MX | Core 2 Quad Q9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A8-3530MX and Core 2 Quad Q9000
A8-3530MX
The A8-3530MX is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,608 points. Launch price was $90.
Core 2 Quad Q9000
The Core 2 Quad Q9000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,597 points. Launch price was $348.
Processing Power
Both the A8-3530MX and Core 2 Quad Q9000 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the A8-3530MX versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9000 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the A8-3530MX (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The A8-3530MX uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3530MX scores 1,608 against the Core 2 Quad Q9000's 1,597 — a 0.7% lead for the A8-3530MX. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3530MX vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Quad Q9000.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core 2 Quad Q9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+30% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.9 GHz | 2 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 6 MB+500% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,608 | 1,597 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 278 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3530MX uses the FS1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core 2 Quad Q9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FS1 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3530MX) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9000). The A8-3530MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3530MX targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3530MX rivals Core i5-2430M.
| Feature | A8-3530MX | Core 2 Quad Q9000 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6620G | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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