Core 2 Duo SP9400 vs A6-3650
Core 2 Duo SP9400
A6-3650
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 SP9400 is positioned at rank 631 and the A6-3650 is on rank 832, so the Core 2 Duo SP9400 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 SP9400
Performance Per Dollar A6-3650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9400 | A6-3650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SP9400 | A6-3650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 SP9400 and A6-3650
Core 2 Duo SP9400
The Core 2 Duo SP9400 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 2,083 points. Launch price was $284.
A6-3650
The A6-3650 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,098 points. Launch price was $70.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo SP9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A6-3650 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A6-3650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 versus 2.6 GHz on the A6-3650 — a 8% clock advantage for the A6-3650 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A6-3650 uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SP9400 scores 2,083 against the A6-3650's 2,098 — a 0.7% lead for the A6-3650. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 340 vs 311, a 8.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9400 vs 0 kB on the A6-3650.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9400 | A6-3650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+8% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+500% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 2,083 | 2,098 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 340+9% | 311 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 600 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A6-3650 uses FM1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The A6-3650 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9400) and A55,A75 (A6-3650).
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9400 | A6-3650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | FM1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9400) vs AMD-V (A6-3650). The A6-3650 includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6530D), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SP9400 targets Budget, A6-3650 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo SP9400 rivals Athlon II X2 245e; A6-3650 rivals Pentium G850.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SP9400 | A6-3650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | GMA X4500HD | Radeon HD 6530D |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Budget | Budget Desktop |
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