Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Phenom II X4 910e

Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Phenom II X4 910e Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 / 2

2,144

0.0%

2,148

+0.2%

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 X4 910e 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 X4 910e: 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 65W, a 59W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,144 vs 2,148).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.5 vs 13.7 PassMark/$ ($284 MSRP vs $157 MSRP).

Phenom II X4 910e

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $127 less on MSRP ($157 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).
✅Delivers 81.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.7 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($157 MSRP vs $284 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌983.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 910e better than Core 2 Duo SL9400?

Yes. Phenom II X4 910e is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 X4 910e is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 25 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 910e is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Phenom II X4 910e is the better buy right now. Phenom II X4 910e comes in $127 cheaper on MSRP at $157 MSRP versus $284 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 25 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 81.2% better value on MSRP (13.7 vs 7.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X4 910e 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 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 Phenom II X4 910e 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 X4 910e

The Phenom II X4 910e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,148 points. Launch price was $157.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 910e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 910e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 910e — a 33.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 910e (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Phenom II X4 910e's 2,148 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 910e. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Phenom II X4 910e
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2.6 GHz+40%
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.6 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB+1100%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,144	2,148

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X4 910e uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X4 910e — the Phenom II X4 910e supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Phenom II X4 910e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Duo SL9400) vs 0 (Phenom II X4 910e) — the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Phenom II X4 910e
Socket	BGA956	AM3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X4 910e). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile, Phenom II X4 910e targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Phenom II X4 910e
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	VT-x	AMD-V
Target Use	Mobile	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 was priced at $284, while the Phenom II X4 910e came in at $157. On launch pricing ($284 vs $157), Phenom II X4 910e was $127 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SL9400 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 13.7 pts/$ for the Phenom II X4 910e — making the Phenom II X4 910e the 57.8% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SL9400	Phenom II X4 910e
MSRP	$284	$157-45%
Performance per Dollar	7.5	13.7+83%
Release Date	2008	2010

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