CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo SU9400
A8-3530MX
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 SU9400 is positioned at rank 409 and the A8-3530MX is on rank 763, so the Core 2 Duo SU9400 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 SU9400
Performance Per Dollar A8-3530MX
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SU9400 | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SU9400 | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 SU9400 and A8-3530MX
Core 2 Duo SU9400
The Core 2 Duo SU9400 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 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 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: 1,596 points. Launch price was $262.
A8-3530MX
The A8-3530MX 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 1.9 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: FS1. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,608 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo SU9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the A8-3530MX offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the A8-3530MX has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 versus 2.6 GHz on the A8-3530MX — a 60% clock advantage for the A8-3530MX (base: 1.4 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-3530MX uses Llano (2011−2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9400 scores 1,596 against the A8-3530MX's 1,608 — a 0.7% lead for the A8-3530MX. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs 0 kB on the A8-3530MX.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SU9400 | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.4 GHz | 2.6 GHz+86% |
| Base Clock | 1.4 GHz | 1.9 GHz+36% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 3 MB+200% | 1 MB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Llano (2011−2012) |
| PassMark | 1,596 | 1,608 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 278 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A8-3530MX uses FS1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SU9400 | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | FS1 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Duo SU9400) / AMD-V (A8-3530MX). The A8-3530MX includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6620G), while the Core 2 Duo SU9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3530MX targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: A8-3530MX rivals Core i5-2430M.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SU9400 | A8-3530MX |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 6620G |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Laptop |
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