Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs Core 2 Extreme X9100
Core 2 Quad Q8400
Core 2 Extreme X9100
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 Core 2 Extreme X9100 is on rank 277, 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 Quad Q8400
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme X9100
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($128) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn XE (2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+569%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($128) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($851) |
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 Core 2 Extreme X9100
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.
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.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 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 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme X9100 — a 162.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q8400 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses Penryn XE (2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q8400 scores 2,076 against the Core 2 Extreme X9100's 2,063 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q8400. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.67 GHz+857% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | 3.06 GHz+15% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB+50% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Penryn XE (2008) |
| PassMark | 2,076 | 2,063 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 852 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 369 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,155 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA478 |
| 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: true (Core 2 Quad Q8400) / not specified (Core 2 Extreme X9100). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q8400 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Quad Q8400 launched at $183 MSRP, while the Core 2 Extreme X9100 debuted at $851.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q8400 | Core 2 Extreme X9100 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $183-78% | $851 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $128 | — |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2008 |
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