CPU
GPU
Athlon II X4 630
Core 2 Quad Q9400
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 Athlon II X4 630 is positioned at rank 868 and the Core 2 Quad Q9400 is on rank 1003, so the Athlon II X4 630 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 630
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+68%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($25) |
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 Athlon II X4 630 and Core 2 Quad Q9400
Athlon II X4 630
The Athlon II X4 630 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 16 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 2,175 points. Launch price was $63.
Core 2 Quad Q9400
The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,160 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the Athlon II X4 630 and Core 2 Quad Q9400 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon II X4 630 versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 — a 4.8% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 630 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Athlon II X4 630 uses the Propus (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 630 scores 2,175 against the Core 2 Quad Q9400's 2,160 — a 0.7% lead for the Athlon II X4 630. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+5% | 2.67 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+5% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Propus (2009−2011) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,175 | 2,160 |
Memory & Platform
The Athlon II X4 630 uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Athlon II X4 630 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Athlon II X4 630) vs 0 (Core 2 Quad Q9400) — the Athlon II X4 630 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Only the Athlon II X4 630 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Athlon II X4 630) vs VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9400). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Athlon II X4 630 launched at $129 MSRP, while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 debuted at $229. At current prices ($15 vs $25), the Athlon II X4 630 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 630 delivers 145.0 pts/$ vs 86.4 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q9400 — making the Athlon II X4 630 the 50.6% better value option.
| Feature | Athlon II X4 630 | Core 2 Quad Q9400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $129-44% | $229 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-40% | $25 |
| Performance per Dollar | 145.0+68% | 86.4 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2008 |
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