Athlon II X3 425 vs Core 2 Duo SU9400

Athlon II X3 425 vs Core 2 Duo SU9400 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X3 425

3 / 3

1,595

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo SU9400

2 / 2

1,596

+0.1%

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.

Athlon II X3 425 vs Core 2 Duo SU9400 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.

Athlon II X3 425 vs Core 2 Duo SU9400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon II X3 425

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,595 vs 1,596).
❌Launch MSRP is still $79 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9400 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌3066.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 3W.

Core 2 Duo SU9400

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 3W instead of 95W, a 92W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X3 425 better than Core 2 Duo SU9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X3 425 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9400 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SU9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon II X3 425 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X3 425 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $79 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SU9400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Athlon II X3 425 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X3 425 vs Core 2 Duo SU9400 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X3 425

The Athlon II X3 425 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 October 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,595 points. Launch price was $42.

Core 2 Duo SU9400

The Core 2 Duo SU9400 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,596 points. Launch price was $262.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X3 425 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SU9400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X3 425 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Athlon II X3 425 versus 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 — a 63.4% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 425 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Athlon II X3 425 uses the Rana (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X3 425 scores 1,595 against the Core 2 Duo SU9400's 1,596 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU9400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X3 425 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9400.

Feature	Athlon II X3 425	Core 2 Duo SU9400
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+93%	1.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+93%	1.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	3 MB+500%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Rana (2009−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,595	1,596

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Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X3 425 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.