Core 2 Quad Q9000 vs Phenom X4 9600
Core 2 Quad Q9000
Phenom X4 9600
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 Q9000 is positioned at rank 1216 and the Phenom X4 9600 is on rank 397, so the Phenom X4 9600 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 Q9000
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X4 9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9000 | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9000 | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) | ✅ 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 Q9000 and Phenom X4 9600
Core 2 Quad Q9000
The Core 2 Quad Q9000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,597 points. Launch price was $348.
Phenom X4 9600
The Phenom X4 9600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,607 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Quad Q9000 and Phenom X4 9600 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9000 versus 2.3 GHz on the Phenom X4 9600 — a 14% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9600. The Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom X4 9600 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9000 scores 1,597 against the Phenom X4 9600's 1,607 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom X4 9600. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Quad Q9000 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9600.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9000 | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.3 GHz+15% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache+200% | 2 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB+1100% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Agena (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 1,597 | 1,607 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q9000 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X4 9600 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9000 | Phenom X4 9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | AM2+ |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core 2 Quad Q9000 and Phenom X4 9600
