Core 2 Duo SU9400
VS
Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

Intel

Core 2 Duo SU9400

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.4 GHz2008
VS
AMD

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2008

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 Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is on rank 413, so the Core 2 Duo SU9400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SU9400

#124
Core i5-1240P
MSRP: $309|Avg: $200
99%
#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
98%
#397
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
552%
#398
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
543%
#399
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
499%
#400
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
497%
#401
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
492%
#403
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
475%
#404
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
456%
#405
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
455%
#406
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
443%
#409
Core 2 Duo SU9400
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

#124
Core i5-1240P
MSRP: $309|Avg: $200
99%
#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
99%
#401
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
555%
#402
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
547%
#403
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
502%
#404
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
500%
#405
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
496%
#407
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
479%
#408
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
459%
#409
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
458%
#410
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
446%
#413
Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
98%
#426
Celeron 2981U
MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo SU9400 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore 2 Duo SU9400Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Puma (2008−2009) / 65 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore 2 Duo SU9400Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

Intel

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.

AMD

Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85

The Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Puma (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1g2. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,585 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU9400 and Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 versus 2.3 GHz on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 — a 48.6% clock advantage for the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85. The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 uses Puma (2008−2009) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU9400 scores 1,596 against the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85's 1,585 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Duo SU9400. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SU9400 vs 0 kB on the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SU9400Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
1.4 GHz
2.3 GHz+64%
Base Clock
1.4 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB L2 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
3 MB+50%
2 MB
Process
45 nm-31%
65 nm
Architecture
Penryn (2008−2011)
Puma (2008−2009)
PassMark
1,596
1,585
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85 uses S1g2 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Duo SU9400Turion X2 Ultra ZM-85
Socket
BGA956
S1g2
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 2.0+82%