Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs Core 2 Quad Q9000

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

2 Cores2 Thrd89 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2006

Core 2 Quad Q9000

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

2 / 2

1,585

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Quad Q9000

4 / 4

1,597

+0.8%

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 X2 5400+ is positioned at rank 1091 and the Core 2 Quad Q9000 is on rank 1216, so the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ 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 X2 5400+

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

95326%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

90073%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

65401%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

19702%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

15606%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

13653%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

7820%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

7717%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

7027%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

7026%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

6948%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

6760%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

6666%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

6639%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

6579%

#1091

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

MSRP: $485|Avg: $78

100%

#1092

Celeron 2.30

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1093

Phenom X4 9450e

MSRP: $450|Avg: $430

99%

#1094

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $20

94%

#1095

Athlon 64 3000+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $10

92%

#1096

Athlon XP 3100+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

87%

#1097

Athlon 64 3300+

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

80%

#1098

Athlon 64 2800+

MSRP: $178|Avg: $15

72%

#1099

Athlon 64 3700+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $20

70%

#1100

Athlon 64 FX-72

MSRP: $799|Avg: $40

69%

#1101

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

MSRP: $581|Avg: $110

66%

#1102

Athlon 64 3500+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $10

64%

#1103

Pentium D 830

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

60%

#1104

Pentium D 960

MSRP: $523|Avg: $15

59%

#1105

Athlon XP 2500+

MSRP: $172|Avg: $15

57%

#1106

Athlon 64 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $10

56%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9000

#1204

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

6392%

#1205

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

6298%

#1206

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

5782%

#1207

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

5756%

#1208

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

5703%

#1210

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

5508%

#1211

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

5281%

#1212

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

5272%

#1213

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

5131%

#1216

Core 2 Quad Q9000

MSRP: $348|Avg: $15

100%

#1217

Core i5-2537M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#1218

Core i7-720QM

MSRP: $364|Avg: N/A

99%

#1219

Pentium U5400

MSRP: $289|Avg: $214

97%

#1220

Pentium T2330

MSRP: $150|Avg: $7

97%

#1221

Z-01

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

94%

#1222

Pentium T2310

MSRP: $150|Avg: $14

91%

#1223

Celeron SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $134

89%

#1224

Core i5-560UM

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

88%

#1225

Core i7-660UM

MSRP: $317|Avg: N/A

88%

#1226

C-30

MSRP: $50|Avg: $15

88%

#1228

Core i7-620UM

MSRP: $278|Avg: N/A

85%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

82%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Quad Q9000 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Core 2 Quad Q9000
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($78)	✅ More affordable ($15)
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 Quad Q9000 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 81% cheaper ($15 vs $78) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Core 2 Quad Q9000
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+424%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($78)	✅ More affordable ($15)

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 X2 5400+ Benchmark Check

Core 2 Quad Q9000 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Athlon 64 X2 5400+ and Core 2 Quad Q9000

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: AM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,585 points. Launch price was $149.

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

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9000 — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Athlon 64 X2 5400+. The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ uses the Windsor (2006−2007) architecture (90 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ scores 1,585 against the Core 2 Quad Q9000's 1,597 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9000. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Quad Q9000.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Core 2 Quad Q9000
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB	6 MB+1100%
Process	90 nm	45 nm-50%
Architecture	Windsor (2006−2007)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,585	1,597

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ uses the AM2 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Athlon 64 X2 5400+	Core 2 Quad Q9000
Socket	AM2	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-800	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Athlon 64 X2 5400+ launched at $485 MSRP, while the Core 2 Quad Q9000 debuted at $348. At current prices ($78 vs $15), the Core 2 Quad Q9000 is $63 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon 64 X2 5400+ delivers 20.3 pts/$ vs 106.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q9000 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9000 the 135.9% better value option.