Core 2 Duo E8700 vs Core 2 Quad Q9450
Core 2 Duo E8700
Core 2 Quad Q9450
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 Core 2 Duo E8700 is positioned at rank 1020 and the Core 2 Quad Q9450 is on rank 1049, so the Core 2 Duo E8700 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E8700
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8700 | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Wolfdale (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E8700 | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 Core 2 Duo E8700 and Core 2 Quad Q9450
Core 2 Duo E8700
The Core 2 Duo E8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,212 points. Launch price was $249.
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.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E8700 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 3.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E8700 versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 — a 26.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo E8700 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E8700 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E8700 scores 2,212 against the Core 2 Quad Q9450's 2,208 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo E8700.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8700 | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz+31% | 2.67 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+32% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Wolfdale (2008−2010) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,212 | 2,208 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA775 socket with PCIe 1.1.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8700 | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E8700 launched at $256 MSRP, while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 debuted at $316. At current prices ($30 vs $15), the Core 2 Quad Q9450 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E8700 delivers 73.7 pts/$ vs 147.2 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q9450 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9450 the 66.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E8700 | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $256-19% | $316 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $15-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 73.7 | 147.2+100% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2008 |
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