CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo P8400
Core 2 Quad Q9650
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 P8400 is positioned at rank 33 and the Core 2 Quad Q9650 is on rank 244, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 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 P8400
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo P8400 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo P8400 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 P8400 and Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core 2 Duo P8400
The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.
Core 2 Quad Q9650
The Core 2 Quad Q9650 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,508 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo P8400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 versus 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 — a 28.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9650 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo P8400 scores 2,497 against the Core 2 Quad Q9650's 2,508 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9650. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8400 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.26 GHz | 3 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | 3 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB | 6 MB (total)+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,497 | 2,508 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo P8400 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8400 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core 2 Duo P8400) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo P8400 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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