Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100

Intel

Core 2 Duo SU9300

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.2 GHz2008
VS
Intel

Pentium Dual Core SU4100

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009

Core 2 Duo SU9300 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 Performance Spectrum

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 SU9300 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 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 SU9300 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100: 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 SU9300

2008

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Dual Core SU4100 across 21 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • ❌Lower PassMark (1,392 vs 1,409).
    • ❌50% higher power demand at 3W vs 2W.

    Pentium Dual Core SU4100

    2009

    Why buy it

    • βœ…Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 21 shared CPU benchmark tests.
    • βœ…Draws 2W instead of 3W, a 1W reduction.

    Trade-offs

    • ❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Core 2 Duo SU9300 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium Dual Core SU4100 better than Core 2 Duo SU9300?
    Yes. Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.2% 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, Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.4% more average FPS across 21 shared CPU game tests.
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core SU4100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium Dual Core SU4100 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 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 SU9300 vs Pentium Dual Core SU4100 Technical Specifications

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

    Intel

    Core 2 Duo SU9300

    The Core 2 Duo SU9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 1.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,392 points. Launch price was $249.

    Intel

    Pentium Dual Core SU4100

    The Pentium Dual Core SU4100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,409 points. Launch price was $69.

    ⚑

    Processing Power

    Both the Core 2 Duo SU9300 and Pentium Dual Core SU4100 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9300 versus 1.3 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 β€” a 8% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100. The Core 2 Duo SU9300 uses the Penryn (2008βˆ’2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Dual Core SU4100 uses NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9300 scores 1,392 against the Pentium Dual Core SU4100's 1,409 β€” a 1.2% lead for the Pentium Dual Core SU4100.

    FeatureCore 2 Duo SU9300Pentium Dual Core SU4100
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    2 / 2
    Boost Clock
    1.2 GHz
    1.3 GHz+8%
    Base Clock
    1.2 GHz
    β€”
    L3 Cache
    3 MB L2 Cache
    β€”
    L2 Cache
    3 MB+50%
    2 MB
    Process
    45 nm
    45 nm
    Architecture
    Penryn (2008βˆ’2011)
    NetBurst (2000βˆ’2006)
    PassMark
    1,392
    1,409+1%
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    Both processors use the BGA956 socket with PCIe 1.1.

    FeatureCore 2 Duo SU9300Pentium Dual Core SU4100
    Socket
    BGA956
    BGA956
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 1.1
    PCIe 1.1