Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Core i3-4000M

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 Core i3-4000M is on rank 501, 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 Core i3-4000M

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

99%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

97%

#489

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

653%

#490

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

643%

#491

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

591%

#492

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

588%

#493

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

583%

#495

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

563%

#496

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

540%

#497

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

539%

#498

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

524%

#501

Core i3-4000M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i3-4000M leads in gaming performance. However, the Core 2 Quad Q9100 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.5% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Core i3-4000M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($14)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Core i3-4000M
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

Core i3-4000M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-4000M

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.

Core i3-4000M

The Core i3-4000M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,797 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-4000M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9100 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 versus 2.4 GHz on the Core i3-4000M — a 6% clock advantage for the Core i3-4000M (base: 2.26 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-4000M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9100 scores 1,806 against the Core i3-4000M's 1,797 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9100. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-4000M.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9100	Core i3-4000M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.26 GHz	2.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.26 GHz	2.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,806	1,797

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-4000M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.