Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Phenom II X3 N870

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Phenom II X3 N870 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 / 2

2,144

0.0%

2,145

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Phenom II X3 N870 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 Phenom II X3 N870: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X3 N870 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,145).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Phenom II X3 N870 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 6W vs 1.5W.

Phenom II X3 N870

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X3 N870 better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

Yes. Phenom II X3 N870 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0% 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, Phenom II X3 N870 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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, Phenom II X3 N870 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 3 cores and 3 threads.

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

Phenom II X3 N870 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Phenom II X3 N870 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core 2 Duo SL9400 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.8% in the shared gaming data.

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

Phenom II X3 N870 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 3 cores / 3 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 Phenom II X3 N870 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.

Phenom II X3 N870

The Phenom II X3 N870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,145 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X3 N870 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Phenom II X3 N870 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 — a 21.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N870. The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Phenom II X3 N870's 2,145 — a 0% lead for the Phenom II X3 N870.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Phenom II X3 N870
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	3 / 3+50%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.3 GHz+24%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	6 MB+300%	1.5 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,144	2,145

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X3 N870 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.