Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs Core i7-9700K

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Core i7-9700K

8 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.9 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9300

4 / 4

2,011

0.0%

14,397

+615.9%

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. The Core 2 Quad Q9300 is positioned at rank #1039 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

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 i7-9700K

#259

Core i3-9100TE

MSRP: $122|Avg: $60

106%

#260

Core i5-12500T

MSRP: $302|Avg: $214

106%

#261

Core i9-13900

MSRP: $549|Avg: $599

105%

#262

Core i7-11700

MSRP: $323|Avg: $274

105%

#262

Core i7-8700K

MSRP: $359|Avg: $160

53%

#263

Core i9-13900T

MSRP: $549|Avg: $570

104%

#264

Processor 300T

MSRP: $82|Avg: $82

103%

#265

Athlon 3000G

MSRP: $49|Avg: $60

103%

#266

Athlon 220GE

MSRP: $65|Avg: $60

103%

#267

Ryzen 9 3900X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $441

102%

#268

Core i5-10500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $178

102%

#269

Celeron G6900T

MSRP: $42|Avg: $50

102%

#270

Core i9-10850K

MSRP: $453|Avg: $300

102%

#271

Core i9-13900E

MSRP: $554|Avg: $554

101%

#272

Core i9-9820X

MSRP: $889|Avg: $280

101%

#273

Core i9-9900X

MSRP: $989|Avg: $300

100%

#274

Ryzen 7 1800X

MSRP: $499|Avg: $120

45%

#274

Core i7-9700K

MSRP: $385|Avg: $200

100%

#275

Core i3-10320

MSRP: $154|Avg: $140

99%

#276

Core i5-9600KF

MSRP: $262|Avg: $150

99%

#277

Ryzen 3 PRO 5355GE

MSRP: $180|Avg: $180

98%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

43%

#278

Core i7-14701TE

MSRP: $392|Avg: $390

98%

#279

Ryzen Threadripper 1920X

MSRP: $799|Avg: $265

40%

#279

Core i9-11900KF

MSRP: $513|Avg: $349

98%

#280

Athlon Silver 3050GE

MSRP: $75|Avg: $65

97%

#280

Core i7-7820X

MSRP: $599|Avg: $198

40%

#281

Core i7-9700E

MSRP: $259|Avg: $180

97%

#282

Core i7-11700K

MSRP: $399|Avg: $350

97%

#283

Ryzen Threadripper 1920

MSRP: $799|Avg: $200

38%

#283

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

MSRP: $329|Avg: $330

96%

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 i7-9700K (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i7-9700K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($27)	⚠️ Higher cost ($200)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) / 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 i7-9700K
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+3%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($27)	⚠️ Higher cost ($200)

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 i7-9700K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Core i7-9700K

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 i7-9700K

The Core i7-9700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,397 points. Launch price was $374.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-9700K offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-9700K has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core i7-9700K — a 64.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-9700K (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-9700K uses Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 scores 2,011 against the Core i7-9700K's 14,397 — a 151% lead for the Core i7-9700K. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9700K.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i7-9700K
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	4.9 GHz+96%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	0 kB	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Coffee Lake-R (2018−2019)
PassMark	2,011	14,397+616%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-9700K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9700K — the Core i7-9700K supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9700K supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 155.6% 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 Intel 300 series (Core i7-9700K).

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i7-9700K
Socket	LGA775	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR4-2666+33%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	128 GB+700%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9300) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-9700K). The Core i7-9700K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core 2 Quad Q9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9700K targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9300	Core i7-9700K
Integrated GPU	No	Yes
IGPU Model	—	UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Quad Q9300 launched at $266 MSRP, while the Core i7-9700K debuted at $385. At current prices ($27 vs $200), the Core 2 Quad Q9300 is $173 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9300 delivers 74.5 pts/$ vs 72.0 pts/$ for the Core i7-9700K — making the Core 2 Quad Q9300 the 3.4% better value option.