Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs Pentium G3420
Core 2 Quad Q9300
Pentium G3420
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 Pentium G3420 is on rank 714, so the Pentium G3420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9300
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9300 | Pentium G3420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($27) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9300 | Pentium G3420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+47%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($27) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9300 and Pentium G3420
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.
Pentium G3420
The Pentium G3420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,022 points. Launch price was $252.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G3420 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 versus 3.2 GHz on the Pentium G3420 — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Pentium G3420 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G3420 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9300 scores 2,011 against the Pentium G3420's 2,022 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium G3420. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3420.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9300 | Pentium G3420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.2 GHz+28% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.2 GHz+28% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+2300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,011 | 2,022 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q9300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3420 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9300 | Pentium G3420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Quad Q9300 launched at $266 MSRP, while the Pentium G3420 debuted at $86. At current prices ($27 vs $40), the Core 2 Quad Q9300 is $13 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9300 delivers 74.5 pts/$ vs 50.5 pts/$ for the Pentium G3420 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9300 the 38.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9300 | Pentium G3420 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $266 | $86-68% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $27-33% | $40 |
| Performance per Dollar | 74.5+48% | 50.5 |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2013 |
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