Atom x5-E3940 vs Core 2 Quad Q9100
Atom x5-E3940
Core 2 Quad Q9100
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 Atom x5-E3940 is positioned at rank 337 and the Core 2 Quad Q9100 is on rank 69, so the Core 2 Quad Q9100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-E3940
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Quad Q9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($14) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Quad Q9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($14) |
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 Atom x5-E3940 and Core 2 Quad Q9100
Atom x5-E3940
The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.
Core 2 Quad Q9100
The Core 2 Quad Q9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,806 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
Both the Atom x5-E3940 and Core 2 Quad Q9100 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9100 (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Atom x5-E3940 uses the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Atom x5-E3940 scores 1,816 against the Core 2 Quad Q9100's 1,806 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-E3940. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Quad Q9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.26 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 1.6 GHz | 2.26 GHz+41% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 6 MB (total)+200% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Apollo Lake (2014−2016) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,816 | 1,806 |
Memory & Platform
The Atom x5-E3940 uses the FCBGA1296 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3L-1866 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 6 (Atom x5-E3940) vs 0 (Core 2 Quad Q9100) — the Atom x5-E3940 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Quad Q9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1296 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1866 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 6 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Atom x5-E3940) / VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9100). The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core 2 Quad Q9100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9100 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Atom x5-E3940 | Core 2 Quad Q9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 500 | — |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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