Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core 2 Duo SP9300
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 SP9300 is positioned at rank 535 and the Core 2 Quad Q9650 is on rank 244, so the Core 2 Quad Q9650 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 SP9300
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 SP9300 and Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core 2 Duo SP9300
The Core 2 Duo SP9300 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 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,517 points. Launch price was $284.
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 SP9300 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 SP9300 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 SP9300 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 SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Core 2 Quad Q9650's 2,508 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9300. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | 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 | 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 | 2,517 | 2,508 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 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 SP9300 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9300) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
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