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.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Core i3-4000M FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Core i3-4000M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Quad Q9100

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 12W instead of 512W, a 500W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $14 MSRP, while Core i3-4000M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i3-4000M

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,797 vs 1,806).
❌4166.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 12W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Quad Q9100 better than Core i3-4000M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-4000M is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9100 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9100 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 2 Quad Q9100 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Quad Q9100 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $14 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i3-4000M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (129.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-4000M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Core i3-4000M Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

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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)	256K (per core)+4167%
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	1,806	1,797

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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.