Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Quad Q9400

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.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Quad Q9400 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.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Quad Q9400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2008

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 95W, a 89W 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 Q9400 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,160).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).

Core 2 Quad Q9400

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $55 less on MSRP ($229 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.4 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌1483.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Quad Q9400 better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

Yes. Core 2 Quad Q9400 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Quad Q9400 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core 2 Quad Q9400 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Quad Q9400 comes in $55 cheaper on MSRP at $229 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 24.9% better value on MSRP (9.4 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core 2 Quad Q9400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Core 2 Quad Q9400 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9400

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 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: 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: 2,160 points. Launch price was $249.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 — a 35.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9400 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Core 2 Quad Q9400's 2,160 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9400. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9400.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.67 GHz+44%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.66 GHz+43%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
PassMark	2,144	2,160

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo SL9400) vs 0 (Core 2 Quad Q9400) — the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Socket	BGA956	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Both support VT-x virtualization. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile, Core 2 Quad Q9400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x
Target Use	Mobile	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 was priced at $284, while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 came in at $229. On launch pricing ($284 vs $229), Core 2 Quad Q9400 was $55 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SL9400 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 9.4 pts/$ for the Core 2 Quad Q9400 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9400 the 22.2% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Core 2 Quad Q9400
MSRP	$284	$229-19%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	9.4+25%
Release Date	2008	2008

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