Athlon 64 FX-74 vs Core 2 Duo T9300

Athlon 64 FX-74

2 Cores2 Thrd125 WWMax: 3 GHz2006

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon 64 FX-74

2 / 2

1,658

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo T9300

2 / 2

1,670

+0.7%

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 Athlon 64 FX-74 is positioned at rank 1087 and the Core 2 Duo T9300 is on rank 176, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Athlon 64 FX-74

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

93890%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

88717%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

64416%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

19406%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

15371%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

13447%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

7702%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

7601%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

6921%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

6920%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

6843%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

6658%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

6565%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

6539%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

6480%

#1087

Athlon 64 FX-74

MSRP: $499|Avg: $50

100%

#1088

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

MSRP: $505|Avg: $15

99%

#1089

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

99%

#1090

Athlon 64 2000+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

99%

#1091

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

MSRP: $485|Avg: $78

98%

#1092

Celeron 2.30

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1093

Phenom X4 9450e

MSRP: $450|Avg: $430

97%

#1094

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $20

93%

#1095

Athlon 64 3000+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $10

91%

#1096

Athlon XP 3100+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

85%

#1097

Athlon 64 3300+

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

79%

#1098

Athlon 64 2800+

MSRP: $178|Avg: $15

71%

#1099

Athlon 64 3700+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $20

69%

#1100

Athlon 64 FX-72

MSRP: $799|Avg: $40

68%

#1101

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

MSRP: $581|Avg: $110

65%

#1102

Athlon 64 3500+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $10

63%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9300

#49

Core i9-12900HX

MSRP: $606|Avg: N/A

99%

#164

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

351%

#165

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

346%

#166

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

318%

#167

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

316%

#168

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

314%

#170

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

303%

#171

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

290%

#172

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

290%

#173

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

282%

#176

Core 2 Duo T9300

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Athlon 64 FX-74 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T9300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core 2 Duo T9300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($20)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Windsor (2006−2007) / 90 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core 2 Duo T9300 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 60% cheaper ($20 vs $50) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+152%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)	✅ More affordable ($20)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Athlon 64 FX-74 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo T9300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 FX-74 and Core 2 Duo T9300

Athlon 64 FX-74

The Athlon 64 FX-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in Novembro 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: F. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 1,658 points. Launch price was $500.

Core 2 Duo T9300

The Core 2 Duo T9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Athlon 64 FX-74 and Core 2 Duo T9300 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Athlon 64 FX-74 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74. The Athlon 64 FX-74 uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 FX-74 scores 1,658 against the Core 2 Duo T9300's 1,670 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. Multi-core Geekbench: 750 vs 432 (53.8% advantage for the Athlon 64 FX-74). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 FX-74 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300.

Feature	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core 2 Duo T9300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	—	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB+500%
Process	90 nm	45 nm-50%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,658	1,670
Geekbench 6 Single	400	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	750+74%	432

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 FX-74 uses the F socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2 on the Athlon 64 FX-74 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — the Core 2 Duo T9300 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: nForce 680a (Athlon 64 FX-74) and GM965,PM965,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo T9300).

Feature	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core 2 Duo T9300
Socket	F	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2	DDR3-1066+50%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Athlon 64 FX-74 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon 64 FX-74) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300). Primary use case: Athlon 64 FX-74 targets Budget, Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Athlon 64 FX-74 rivals Pentium Extreme Edition 965; Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.

Feature	Athlon 64 FX-74	Core 2 Duo T9300
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	AMD-V	VT-x
Target Use	Budget	Budget

💰

Value Analysis

The Athlon 64 FX-74 launched at $499 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo T9300 debuted at $316. At current prices ($50 vs $20), the Core 2 Duo T9300 is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 FX-74 delivers 33.2 pts/$ vs 83.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo T9300 — making the Core 2 Duo T9300 the 86.3% better value option.