Core 2 Extreme QX9300 vs Core i5-540M

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 Extreme QX9300 is positioned at rank 924 and the Core i5-540M is on rank 432, so the Core i5-540M 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 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 Per Dollar Core i5-540M

#419

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

572%

#420

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

563%

#421

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

517%

#422

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

515%

#423

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

510%

#425

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

493%

#426

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

472%

#427

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

472%

#428

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

459%

#432

Core i5-540M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-540M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9300	Core i5-540M
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 (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9300	Core i5-540M
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 Extreme QX9300 Benchmark Check

Core i5-540M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme QX9300 and Core i5-540M

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.

Core i5-540M

The Core i5-540M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 3.07 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,796 points. Launch price was $257.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-540M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 versus 3.07 GHz on the Core i5-540M — a 19.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-540M (base: 2.53 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-540M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 scores 1,805 against the Core i5-540M's 1,796 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Extreme QX9300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-540M.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9300	Core i5-540M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.53 GHz	3.07 GHz+21%
Base Clock	2.53 GHz	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB+4700%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,805	1,796
Geekbench 6 Single	—	300
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	700

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-540M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9300	Core i5-540M
Socket	PGA478	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Extreme QX9300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-540M). The Core i5-540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-540M targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.