Core 2 Extreme X9100 vs Core 2 Quad Q8400
Core 2 Extreme X9100
Core 2 Quad Q8400
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 Extreme X9100 is positioned at rank 277 and the Core 2 Quad Q8400 is on rank 975, so the Core 2 Extreme X9100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X9100
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) | ✅ More affordable ($128) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn XE (2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+569%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) | ✅ More affordable ($128) |
Performance Check
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 Extreme X9100 and Core 2 Quad Q8400
Core 2 Extreme X9100
The Core 2 Extreme X9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn XE (2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 44 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,063 points. Launch price was $851.
Core 2 Quad Q8400
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 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 0.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,076 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Extreme X9100 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X9100 versus 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 — a 162.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q8400 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses the Penryn XE (2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Extreme X9100 scores 2,063 against the Core 2 Quad Q8400's 2,076 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 0.07 GHz | 0.67 GHz+857% |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz+15% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+50% | 4 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn XE (2008) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,063 | 2,076 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 852 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 369 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,155 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3 1333 MHz |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Extreme X9100) / true (Core 2 Quad Q8400). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
| Target Use | — | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Extreme X9100 launched at $851 MSRP, while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 debuted at $183.
| Feature | Core 2 Extreme X9100 | Core 2 Quad Q8400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $851 | $183-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $128 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2009 |
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