Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Phenom II X4 N950

Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Phenom II X4 N950 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo SP9300

2 / 2

2,517

+1.3%

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2,485

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 SP9300 vs Phenom II X4 N950 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 SP9300 vs Phenom II X4 N950: 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 SP9300

2008

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X4 N950 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌200% higher power demand at 6W vs 2W.

Phenom II X4 N950

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 6W, a 4W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,485 vs 2,517).

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X4 N950 better than Core 2 Duo SP9300?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom II X4 N950 is ahead with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SP9300 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Duo SP9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Phenom II X4 N950 still makes the most sense overall. Phenom II X4 N950 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Phenom II X4 N950 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Duo SP9300 vs Phenom II X4 N950 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Phenom II X4 N950

The Phenom II X4 N950 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,485 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom II X4 N950 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom II X4 N950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom II X4 N950 — a 7.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9300. The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9300 scores 2,517 against the Phenom II X4 N950's 2,485 — a 1.3% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9300.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SP9300	Phenom II X4 N950
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz+8%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	—
L2 Cache	6 MB+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,517+1%	2,485

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X4 N950 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.