CPU
GPU
Core 2 Quad Q9100
Athlon II X3 445
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 Q9100 is positioned at rank 69 and the Athlon II X3 445 is on rank 781, so the Core 2 Quad Q9100 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 Q9100
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X3 445
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($14) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Rana (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+7%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($14) | ⚠️ 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Athlon II X3 445
Core 2 Quad Q9100
The Core 2 Quad Q9100 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,806 points. Launch price was $249.
Athlon II X3 445
The Athlon II X3 445 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Rana (2009−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 1,807 points. Launch price was $91.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q9100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Athlon II X3 445 offers 3 cores / 3 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9100 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 versus 3.1 GHz on the Athlon II X3 445 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Athlon II X3 445 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses Rana (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9100 scores 1,806 against the Athlon II X3 445's 1,807 — a 0.1% lead for the Athlon II X3 445. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+33% | 3 / 3 |
| Boost Clock | 2.26 GHz | 3.1 GHz+37% |
| Base Clock | 2.26 GHz | 3.1 GHz+37% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+1100% | 512 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Rana (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,806 | 1,807 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Athlon II X3 445 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Athlon II X3 445 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 0 PCIe lanes.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA478 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 32 GB+300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9100) / not specified (Athlon II X3 445). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9100 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Quad Q9100 launched at $14 MSRP, while the Athlon II X3 445 debuted at $87. At current prices ($14 vs $15), the Core 2 Quad Q9100 is $1 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9100 delivers 129.0 pts/$ vs 120.5 pts/$ for the Athlon II X3 445 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9100 the 6.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9100 | Athlon II X3 445 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $14-84% | $87 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $14-7% | $15 |
| Performance per Dollar | 129.0+7% | 120.5 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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