Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs Xeon X6550
Core 2 Quad Q8300
Xeon X6550
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 Xeon X6550 is on rank 879, so the Xeon X6550 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 Xeon X6550
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Xeon X6550
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.
Xeon X6550
The Xeon X6550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,936 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X6550 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon X6550 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon X6550 — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q8300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8300 is built on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8300 scores 1,917 against the Xeon X6550's 1,936 — a 1% lead for the Xeon X6550. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon X6550.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 8 / 16+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+4% | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+25% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 18 MB L3 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total) | — |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | — |
| PassMark | 1,917 | 1,936 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon X6550 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1567 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 5.0+355% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| RAM Channels | — | 4 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q8300) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X6550). Primary use case: Xeon X6550 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X6550 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8300 | Xeon X6550 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Server |
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