Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs Core i3-1115GRE

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

4 Cores4 Thrd136 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2008

Core i3-1115GRE

2 Cores4 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2020

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

4 / 4

4,611

+0.5%

4,588

0.0%

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 Extreme QX9770 is positioned at rank 1088 and the Core i3-1115GRE is on rank 1009, so the Core i3-1115GRE 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 QX9770

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

94459%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

89255%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

64806%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

19523%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

15465%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

13528%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

7748%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

7647%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

6963%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

6962%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

6885%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

6699%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

6605%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

6578%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

6519%

#1088

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $1399

100%

#1089

Athlon 64 X2 5600+

MSRP: $505|Avg: $15

100%

#1090

Athlon 64 2000+

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

100%

#1091

Athlon 64 X2 5400+

MSRP: $485|Avg: $78

99%

#1092

Celeron 2.30

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#1093

Phenom X4 9450e

MSRP: $450|Avg: $430

98%

#1094

Athlon 64 X2 3800+

MSRP: $354|Avg: $20

94%

#1095

Athlon 64 3000+

MSRP: $149|Avg: $10

92%

#1096

Athlon XP 3100+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $20

86%

#1097

Athlon 64 3300+

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

79%

#1098

Athlon 64 2800+

MSRP: $178|Avg: $15

72%

#1099

Athlon 64 3700+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $20

69%

#1100

Athlon 64 FX-72

MSRP: $799|Avg: $40

68%

#1101

Athlon 64 X2 4200+

MSRP: $581|Avg: $110

65%

#1102

Athlon 64 3500+

MSRP: $272|Avg: $10

64%

#1103

Pentium D 830

MSRP: $316|Avg: $20

59%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1115GRE

#996

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2162%

#997

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2130%

#998

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1956%

#999

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1947%

#1000

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1929%

#1002

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1863%

#1003

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1786%

#1004

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1783%

#1005

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1735%

#1008

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

100%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

100%

#1010

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

100%

#1011

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

99%

#1012

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1013

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1014

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

97%

#1015

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

97%

#1016

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

96%

#1017

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

96%

#1018

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

95%

#1019

Athlon Neo MV-40

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

94%

#1020

Core i7-4860EQ

MSRP: $434|Avg: $80

94%

#1021

Pentium SU2700

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

93%

#1022

A4-1250

MSRP: $100|Avg: $30

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-1115GRE (2020) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, LPDDR4X, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i3-1115GRE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399)	✅ More affordable ($480)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i3-1115GRE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+190%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399)	✅ More affordable ($480)

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 QX9770 Benchmark Check

Core i3-1115GRE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Extreme QX9770 and Core i3-1115GRE

Core 2 Extreme QX9770

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 136 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,611 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-1115GRE

The Core i3-1115GRE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1449. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, LPDDR4X. Passmark benchmark score: 4,588 points. Launch price was $338.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-1115GRE offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i3-1115GRE — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-1115GRE uses Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 scores 4,611 against the Core i3-1115GRE's 4,588 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Extreme QX9770. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 451 vs 1,175, a 89.1% lead for the Core i3-1115GRE that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,583 vs 2,233 (34.1% advantage for the Core i3-1115GRE). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-1115GRE.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i3-1115GRE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.9 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+45%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB (total)+860%	1.25 MB (per core)
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Tiger Lake-U (2020−2021)
PassMark	4,611	4,588
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,200	—
Geekbench 6 Single	451	1,175+161%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,583	2,233+41%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-1115GRE uses FCBGA1449 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 versus DDR4-3200 on the Core i3-1115GRE — the Core i3-1115GRE supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-1115GRE supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Extreme QX9770) vs 4 (Core i3-1115GRE) — the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X48,X38,P45 (Core 2 Extreme QX9770) and SoC (Core i3-1115GRE).

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i3-1115GRE
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1449
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-3200+33%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	64 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16+300%	4

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i3-1115GRE supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Extreme QX9770) vs Yes (Core i3-1115GRE). The Core i3-1115GRE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme QX9770 targets Enthusiast.

Feature	Core 2 Extreme QX9770	Core i3-1115GRE
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	Intel UHD Graphics
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x	Yes
Target Use	Enthusiast	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 launched at $1399 MSRP, while the Core i3-1115GRE debuted at $338. At current prices ($1399 vs $480), the Core i3-1115GRE is $919 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 delivers 3.3 pts/$ vs 9.6 pts/$ for the Core i3-1115GRE — making the Core i3-1115GRE the 97.4% better value option.