Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs Celeron 2957U
Core 2 Quad Q8400
Celeron 2957U
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 Q8400 is positioned at rank 975 and the Celeron 2957U is on rank 53, so the Celeron 2957U 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 Q8400
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2957U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($128) | ✅ 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 Q8400 and Celeron 2957U
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.
Celeron 2957U
The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron 2957U offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 70.5% clock advantage for the Celeron 2957U (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8400 scores 2,076 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0% lead for the Celeron 2957U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 369 vs 284, a 26% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.67 GHz | 1.4 GHz+109% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+90% | 1.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total)+700% | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,076 | 2,077 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 852 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 369+30% | 284 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,155 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3 1333 MHz on the Core 2 Quad Q8400 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U — the Core 2 Quad Q8400 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Quad Q8400) vs 10 (Celeron 2957U) — the Celeron 2957U offers 10 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel P45,Intel G41,Intel Q45,Intel X48,Intel G31 (Core 2 Quad Q8400) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U).
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3 1333 MHz | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 10 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core 2 Quad Q8400) vs VT-x (Celeron 2957U). The Celeron 2957U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Haswell)), while the Core 2 Quad Q8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop, Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics (Haswell) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | Desktop | Budget |
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