Core 2 Duo T9500 vs Core 2 Extreme QX9300

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 T9500 is positioned at rank 343 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is on rank 924, so the Core 2 Duo T9500 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 T9500

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

98%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

97%

#331

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

489%

#332

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

482%

#333

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

443%

#334

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

441%

#335

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

437%

#337

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

422%

#338

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

404%

#339

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

404%

#340

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

393%

#343

Core 2 Duo T9500

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9300

#912

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1625%

#913

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1602%

#914

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1470%

#915

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1464%

#916

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1450%

#918

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1401%

#919

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1343%

#920

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1341%

#921

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1305%

#924

Core 2 Extreme QX9300

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#928

A8-6410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $40

98%

#933

Athlon X2 L310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

97%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core 2 Duo T9500 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9500	Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower 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 (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Duo T9500	Core 2 Extreme QX9300
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.

Core 2 Duo T9500 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Extreme QX9300 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Duo T9500 and Core 2 Extreme QX9300

Core 2 Duo T9500

The Core 2 Duo T9500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,799 points. Launch price was $530.

Core 2 Extreme QX9300

The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,805 points. Launch price was $249.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T9500 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9500 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9500 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). Both are built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T9500 scores 1,799 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9300's 1,805 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 2 Extreme QX9300. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9500 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9500	Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+3%	2.53 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+3%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB	12 MB+100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,799	1,805

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA478 socket with PCIe 1.1.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T9500	Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Socket	PGA478	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9500) / not specified (Core 2 Extreme QX9300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9500 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9500 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.