Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs Core i5-2430M

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Core i5-2430M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 / 4

2,011

0.0%

2,015

+0.2%

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 i5-2430M is on rank 1106, so the Core 2 Quad Q9300 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 i5-2430M

#1094

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3275%

#1095

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3227%

#1096

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2962%

#1097

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2949%

#1098

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2922%

#1100

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2821%

#1101

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2705%

#1102

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2701%

#1103

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2628%

#1106

Core i5-2430M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1108

Pentium Dual Core T4500

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1109

Celeron B820

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

99%

#1110

Pentium B980

MSRP: $125|Avg: $35

98%

#1111

Celeron 867

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

98%

#1112

Pentium B970

MSRP: $125|Avg: $39

98%

#1113

Core i5-2410M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

97%

#1114

Pentium T2370

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

97%

#1115

Pentium N3710

MSRP: $161|Avg: $50

96%

#1116

Core m3-7Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1117

Pentium 977

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

96%

#1118

Core i7-2715QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $50

95%

#1120

VIA Nano U2250

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

95%

#1121

Core i5-560M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2430M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Quad Q9300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-2430M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($27)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $27 (vs $225), it costs 88% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 732% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2430M.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-2430M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+732%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($27)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

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 i5-2430M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Core i5-2430M

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 i5-2430M

The Core i5-2430M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,015 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2430M 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 3 GHz on the Core i5-2430M — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2430M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2430M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 scores 2,011 against the Core i5-2430M's 2,015 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-2430M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2430M.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-2430M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+4%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,011	2,015

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-2430M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus 1333 on the Core i5-2430M — the Core i5-2430M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P35,P45,X38,X48 (Core 2 Quad Q9300) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i5-2430M).

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-2430M
Socket	LGA775	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+104857500%	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9300) / true (Core i5-2430M). The Core i5-2430M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Quad Q9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2430M rivals AMD A8-3500M.