A8-5550M vs Core 2 Extreme QX9300
A8-5550M
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
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 A8-5550M is positioned at rank 692 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is on rank 924, so the A8-5550M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-5550M
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-5550M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-5550M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 A8-5550M and Core 2 Extreme QX9300
A8-5550M
The A8-5550M is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FS1r2. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,811 points. Launch price was $90.
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,805 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the A8-5550M and Core 2 Extreme QX9300 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the A8-5550M versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 — a 20.2% clock advantage for the A8-5550M (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The A8-5550M uses the Richland (2013−2014) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-5550M scores 1,811 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9300's 1,805 — a 0.3% lead for the A8-5550M. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | A8-5550M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+23% | 2.53 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.53 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 12 MB+1100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Richland (2013−2014) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,811 | 1,805 |
Memory & Platform
The A8-5550M uses the FS1r2 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-5550M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FS1r2 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (A8-5550M) / not specified (Core 2 Extreme QX9300). The A8-5550M includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-5550M rivals Core i3-4000M.
| Feature | A8-5550M | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 8510G / 8550G | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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