Celeron G3930TE vs Core 2 Quad Q9450

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.

Celeron G3930TE vs Core 2 Quad Q9450 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.

Celeron G3930TE vs Core 2 Quad Q9450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron G3930TE

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $274 less on MSRP ($42 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Delivers 655.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 52.8 vs 7.0 PassMark/$ ($42 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Quad Q9450 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core 2 Quad Q9450

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,208 vs 2,218).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.0 vs 52.8 PassMark/$ ($316 MSRP vs $42 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Celeron G3930TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron G3930TE better than Core 2 Quad Q9450?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Quad Q9450 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3930TE pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron G3930TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron G3930TE is the better buy right now. Celeron G3930TE comes in $274 cheaper on MSRP at $42 MSRP versus $316 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core 2 Quad Q9450 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 655.8% better value on MSRP (52.8 vs 7.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Celeron G3930TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron G3930TE vs Core 2 Quad Q9450 Technical Specifications

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

Celeron G3930TE

The Celeron G3930TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,218 points. Launch price was $42.

Core 2 Quad Q9450

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 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: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,208 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

The Celeron G3930TE packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Celeron G3930TE versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Celeron G3930TE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Celeron G3930TE uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron G3930TE scores 2,218 against the Core 2 Quad Q9450's 2,208 — a 0.5% lead for the Celeron G3930TE. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Celeron G3930TE vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9450.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core 2 Quad Q9450
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+1%	2.67 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+2%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	12 MB (total)+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
PassMark	2,218	2,208
Geekbench 6 Single	548	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	948	—

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron G3930TE uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core 2 Quad Q9450
Socket	LGA1151	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+173%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Celeron G3930TE) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9450). The Celeron G3930TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 610), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron G3930TE targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron G3930TE rivals Pentium G4560T.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core 2 Quad Q9450
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 610	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Celeron G3930TE was priced at $42, while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 came in at $316. On launch pricing ($42 vs $316), Celeron G3930TE was $274 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Celeron G3930TE delivers 52.8 pts/$ vs 7.0 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q9450 — making the Celeron G3930TE the 153.3% better value option.

Feature	Celeron G3930TE	Core 2 Quad Q9450
MSRP	$42-87%	$316
Performance per Dollar	52.8+654%	7.0
Release Date	2017	2008

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