Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs Core i5-3317U

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Core i5-3317U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 / 4

2,011

0.0%

2,014

+0.1%

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 i5-3317U is on rank 932, so the Core i5-3317U 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 i5-3317U

#920

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1676%

#921

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1651%

#922

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1516%

#923

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1509%

#924

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1495%

#926

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1444%

#927

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1384%

#928

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1382%

#929

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1345%

#932

Core i5-3317U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#933

Athlon X2 L310

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

100%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

97%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

97%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

95%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-3317U delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Quad Q9300 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.1% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-3317U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($27)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-3317U
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 i5-3317U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Core i5-3317U

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 i5-3317U

The Core i5-3317U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3/L/-RS 1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,014 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-3317U 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 2.6 GHz on the Core i5-3317U — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-3317U (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-3317U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 scores 2,011 against the Core i5-3317U's 2,014 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3317U. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3317U.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-3317U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+47%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	2,011	2,014

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-3317U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus 1600 on the Core i5-3317U — the Core i5-3317U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-3317U supports up to 32 of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: P35,P45,X38,X48 (Core 2 Quad Q9300) and HM76,UM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i5-3317U).

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i5-3317U
Socket	LGA775	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	1600+53233%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+52428700%	32
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9300) / true (Core i5-3317U). The Core i5-3317U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4000), while the Core 2 Quad Q9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-3317U rivals AMD A8-4555M.