Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs Athlon II X3 455
Core 2 Quad Q8300
Athlon II X3 455
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 Quad Q8300 is positioned at rank 985 and the Athlon II X3 455 is on rank 750, so the Athlon II X3 455 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 Quad Q8300
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X3 455
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Athlon II X3 455 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Athlon II X3 455 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+48%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($10) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 Quad Q8300 and Athlon II X3 455
Core 2 Quad Q8300
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 1,917 points. Launch price was $249.
Athlon II X3 455
The Athlon II X3 455 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 December 2010 (14 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,938 points. Launch price was $88.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 455 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8300 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 versus 3.3 GHz on the Athlon II X3 455 — a 27.6% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 455 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II X3 455 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8300 scores 1,917 against the Athlon II X3 455's 1,938 — a 1.1% lead for the Athlon II X3 455. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Athlon II X3 455 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+33% | 3 / 3 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.3 GHz+32% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.3 GHz+32% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+700% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Rana (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,917 | 1,938+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon II X3 455 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Athlon II X3 455 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 launched at $179 MSRP, while the Athlon II X3 455 debuted at $88. At current prices ($10 vs $15), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 is $5 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q8300 delivers 191.7 pts/$ vs 129.2 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 455 — making the Core 2 Quad Q8300 the 39% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Athlon II X3 455 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $179 | $88-51% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10-33% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 191.7+48% | 129.2 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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