Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Atom x5-E3940

Core 2 Quad Q9100

4 Cores4 Thrd12 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2008

Atom x5-E3940

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9100

4 / 4

1,806

0.0%

Core 2 Duo E4700

Core i5-430M

Celeron 1020E

Pentium Dual Core T2370

1,816

+0.6%

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 Atom x5-E3940 is on rank 337, so the Core 2 Quad Q9100 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9100

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

97%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

93%

#57

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

227%

#58

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

224%

#59

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

206%

#60

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

205%

#61

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

203%

#63

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

196%

#64

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

188%

#65

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

188%

#66

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

183%

#69

Core 2 Quad Q9100

MSRP: $14|Avg: $14

100%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

97%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Atom x5-E3940

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

97%

#325

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

485%

#326

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

478%

#327

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

438%

#328

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

436%

#329

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

432%

#331

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

418%

#332

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

400%

#333

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

400%

#334

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

389%

#337

Atom x5-E3940

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Atom x5-E3940 (2014) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Atom x5-E3940
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($14)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Apollo Lake (2014−2016) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and older memory, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Atom x5-E3940
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($14)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 Benchmark Check

Atom x5-E3940 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Atom x5-E3940

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.

Atom x5-E3940

The Atom x5-E3940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 1,816 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Atom x5-E3940 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 versus 1.8 GHz on the Atom x5-E3940 — a 22.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9100 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9100 scores 1,806 against the Atom x5-E3940's 1,816 — a 0.6% lead for the Atom x5-E3940. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Atom x5-E3940
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz+26%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+41%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	0 kB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	1,806	1,816

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Atom x5-E3940 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Quad Q9100) vs 6 (Atom x5-E3940) — the Atom x5-E3940 offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Atom x5-E3940
Socket	PGA478	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1866
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	0	6

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9100) / not specified (Atom x5-E3940). The Atom x5-E3940 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 500), while the Core 2 Quad Q9100 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9100 targets Mobile.