Athlon II X4 631 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400

Athlon II X4 631 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400 Performance Spectrum

Athlon II X4 631

4 / 4

2,118

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 / 2

2,144

+1.2%

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 X4 631 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400 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 X4 631 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400: 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 X4 631

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $204 less on MSRP ($80 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 250.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.5 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($80 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,118 vs 2,144).
❌1566.7% higher power demand at 100W vs 6W.

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 100W, a 94W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 26.5 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $80 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Athlon II X4 631 better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Athlon II X4 631 is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SL9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Athlon II X4 631 is the better buy right now. Athlon II X4 631 comes in $204 cheaper on MSRP at $80 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Duo SL9400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.2% better PassMark. It is also 250.7% better value on MSRP (26.5 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), 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 X4 631 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon II X4 631 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400 Technical Specifications

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

Athlon II X4 631

The Athlon II X4 631 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,118 points. Launch price was $149.

Core 2 Duo SL9400

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 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 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.

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Processing Power

The Athlon II X4 631 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Athlon II X4 631 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Athlon II X4 631 versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 33.2% clock advantage for the Athlon II X4 631 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Athlon II X4 631 uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon II X4 631 scores 2,118 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 631 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400.

Feature	Athlon II X4 631	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+40%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+40%	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	6 MB+500%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Llano (2011−2012)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,118	2,144+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon II X4 631 uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Athlon II X4 631 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — the Athlon II X4 631 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 631 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 700% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: AMD FM1 (Athlon II X4 631) and GS45,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo SL9400).

Feature	Athlon II X4 631	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Socket	FM1	BGA956
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866+75%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+700%	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Athlon II X4 631) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.

Feature	Athlon II X4 631	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Integrated GPU	No	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Mobile

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon II X4 631 was priced at $80, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 came in at $284. On launch pricing ($80 vs $284), Athlon II X4 631 was $204 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon II X4 631 delivers 26.5 pts/$ vs 7.5 pts/$ for the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — making the Athlon II X4 631 the 111.2% better value option.

Feature	Athlon II X4 631	Core 2 Duo SL9400
MSRP	$80-72%	$284
Performance per Dollar	26.5+253%	7.5
Release Date	2011	2008

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