Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs Core i3-5015U

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Core i3-5015U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 / 4

2,011

+1.1%

1,990

0.0%

Celeron N3350

Celeron G1610T

Core i5-4202Y

Pentium Dual Core T2390

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 Q9300 is positioned at rank 1039 and the Core i3-5015U is on rank 648, so the Core i3-5015U 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 Q9300

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

41232%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

38960%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

28288%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

8522%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

6750%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

5905%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3382%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3338%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3039%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3039%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3005%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2924%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2883%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2872%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2846%

#1039

Core 2 Quad Q9300

MSRP: $266|Avg: $27

100%

#1040

Athlon II X4 638

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

100%

#1041

Core 2 Duo E7200

MSRP: $133|Avg: $133

100%

#1043

Phenom X3 8750

MSRP: $195|Avg: $20

98%

#1044

Pentium G4400TE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $250

97%

#1045

Celeron 2.60

MSRP: $53|Avg: $10

96%

#1046

Core i7-990X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $225

94%

#1047

Phenom X4 9750B

MSRP: $215|Avg: $34

94%

#1048

Core 2 Duo E8200

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

93%

#1049

Core 2 Quad Q9450

MSRP: $316|Avg: $15

92%

#1050

Core 2 Duo E8600

MSRP: $200|Avg: $95

91%

#1051

Core 2 Duo E6320

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

90%

#1052

Core i7-980X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

90%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

90%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

89%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5015U

#636

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

885%

#637

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

872%

#638

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

800%

#639

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

797%

#640

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

789%

#642

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

762%

#643

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

731%

#644

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

730%

#645

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

710%

#648

Core i3-5015U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#650

Core i5-1345UE

MSRP: $312|Avg: $312

100%

#662

Athlon II P360

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

98%

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 Core i3-5015U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i3-5015U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($27)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR1, DDR2, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i3-5015U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($27)	✅ 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 Q9300 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5015U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Core i3-5015U

Core 2 Quad Q9300

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,011 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-5015U

The Core i3-5015U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,990 points. Launch price was $275.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5015U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5015U — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5015U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 scores 2,011 against the Core i3-5015U's 1,990 — a 1% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9300. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5015U.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i3-5015U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+19%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	2,011+1%	1,990

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-5015U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core 2 Quad Q9300) vs 12 (Core i3-5015U) — the Core 2 Quad Q9300 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i3-5015U
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5015U). The Core i3-5015U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Quad Q9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5015U targets Mobile.