Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Celeron N4500

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. The Core 2 Quad Q9100 is positioned at rank #69 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Balanced cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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

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 Celeron N4500 (2021) utilizes 10 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Celeron N4500
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior 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)	✨ Modern (Jasper Lake (2021) / 10 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	Celeron N4500
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

Celeron N4500 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Celeron N4500

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.

Celeron N4500

The Celeron N4500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,817 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Celeron N4500 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 versus 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4500 — a 21.3% clock advantage for the Celeron N4500 (base: 2.26 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Celeron N4500 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9100 scores 1,806 against the Celeron N4500's 1,817 — a 0.6% lead for the Celeron N4500. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4500.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Celeron N4500
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.8 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz+105%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+300%	1.5 MB (total)
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	1,806	1,817

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Celeron N4500 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Celeron N4500
Socket	PGA478	BGA1338
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 4.0+264%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—