Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Core i3-4100M
Core 2 Duo SP9300
Core i3-4100M
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 i3-4100M is on rank 114, so the Core i3-4100M 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 i3-4100M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core i3-4100M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core i3-4100M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) |
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 i3-4100M
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 i3-4100M
The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo SP9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i3-4100M's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M — a 10.1% clock advantage for the Core i3-4100M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4100M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Core i3-4100M's 2,531 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-4100M. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core i3-4100M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.26 GHz | 2.5 GHz+11% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | 2.5 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+1100% | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,517 | 2,531 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4100M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-4100M supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SP9300) vs 16 (Core i3-4100M) — the Core i3-4100M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core i3-4100M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | PGA946 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9300 | Core i3-4100M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4600 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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