Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Pentium N4200

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 Pentium N4200 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 Pentium N4200: 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

✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,158).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $123 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 77.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.4 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N4200 better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

Yes. Pentium N4200 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.2% 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, Pentium N4200 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% 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, Pentium N4200 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?

Pentium N4200 is the better buy right now. Pentium N4200 comes in $123 cheaper on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 77.5% better value on MSRP (13.4 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium N4200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2008) and 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 Pentium N4200 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.

Pentium N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Pentium N4200 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium N4200 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 29.4% clock advantage for the Pentium N4200 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium N4200. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.5 GHz+34%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz+69%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,144	2,158

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium N4200
Socket	BGA956	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400) / not specified (Pentium N4200). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium N4200
Integrated GPU	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Mobile	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 was priced at $284, while the Pentium N4200 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($284 vs $161), Pentium N4200 was $123 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SL9400 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N4200 — making the Pentium N4200 the 55.9% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Pentium N4200
MSRP	$284	$161-43%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	13.4+79%
Release Date	2008	2016

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