Core 2 Duo T5850 vs Core 2 Quad Q9400

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 T5850 is positioned at rank 245 and the Core 2 Quad Q9400 is on rank 1003, so the Core 2 Duo T5850 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 T5850

#64

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

MSRP: $600|Avg: $600

100%

#233

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

407%

#234

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

401%

#235

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

368%

#236

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

367%

#237

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

363%

#239

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

351%

#240

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

337%

#241

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

336%

#242

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

327%

#245

Core 2 Duo T5850

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9400

#1

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33056%

#2

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31234%

#3

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

22679%

#4

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6832%

#5

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5412%

#6

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4734%

#7

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2712%

#8

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2676%

#9

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2437%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2436%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2409%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2344%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2311%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2302%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2281%

#1003

Core 2 Quad Q9400

MSRP: $229|Avg: $25

100%

#1004

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

99%

#1005

Core i5-655K

MSRP: $216|Avg: $55

99%

#1006

Core 2 Duo E4600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $9.6

99%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

98%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

97%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

97%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

96%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

95%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

95%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

94%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

94%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Quad Q9400 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Duo T5850 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)

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.

Core 2 Duo T5850 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Quad Q9400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T5850 and Core 2 Quad Q9400

Core 2 Duo T5850

The Core 2 Duo T5850 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,161 points. Launch price was $249.

Core 2 Quad Q9400

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,160 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T5850 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5850 versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 — a 23.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9400. The Core 2 Duo T5850 uses the Merom (2006−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T5850 scores 2,161 against the Core 2 Quad Q9400's 2,160 — a 0% lead for the Core 2 Duo T5850.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T5850	Core 2 Quad Q9400
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.67 GHz+27%
Base Clock	—	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	—	0 kB
L2 Cache	2 MB	6 MB (total)+200%
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	Merom (2006−2008)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
PassMark	2,161	2,160