Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Core i3-5010U

Core 2 Quad Q9400

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008

Core i3-5010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9400

4 / 4

2,160

+0.1%

2,157

0.0%

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 Q9400 is positioned at rank 1003 and the Core i3-5010U is on rank 521, so the Core i3-5010U 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 Q9400

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

33056%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

31234%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

22679%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

6832%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

5412%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

4734%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

2712%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

2676%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

2437%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

2436%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

2409%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

2344%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

2311%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

2302%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

2281%

#1003

Core 2 Quad Q9400

MSRP: $229|Avg: $25

100%

#1004

Celeron 450

MSRP: $53|Avg: $5

99%

#1005

Core i5-655K

MSRP: $216|Avg: $55

99%

#1006

Core 2 Duo E4600

MSRP: $133|Avg: $9.6

99%

#1008

Core i7-870S

MSRP: $300|Avg: $80

98%

#1009

Core 2 Duo E6540

MSRP: $163|Avg: $15

97%

#1010

Celeron 430

MSRP: $49|Avg: $10

97%

#1011

Athlon X2 BE-2300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $80

96%

#1012

Core i7-875K

MSRP: $353|Avg: $175

95%

#1013

Core i5-670

MSRP: $284|Avg: $100

95%

#1014

Core i5-680

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

94%

#1015

Core 2 Duo E4300

MSRP: $113|Avg: $5

94%

#1017

Core 2 Duo E4500

MSRP: $133|Avg: $10

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#509

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#510

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#511

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#512

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

612%

#513

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#515

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#516

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#517

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#518

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#521

Core i3-5010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i3-5010U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core i3-5010U
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 (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 Q9400	Core i3-5010U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)	✅ 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 Q9400 Benchmark Check

Core i3-5010U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i3-5010U

Core 2 Quad Q9400

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 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 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 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: 2,160 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U 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: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5010U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 versus 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U — a 23.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9400 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5010U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9400 scores 2,160 against the Core i3-5010U's 2,157 — a 0.1% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9400. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core i3-5010U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz+27%	2.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+27%	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	2,160	2,157
Geekbench 6 Single	—	737

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i3-5010U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. The Core i3-5010U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Quad Q9400) vs 12 (Core i3-5010U) — the Core i3-5010U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core i3-5010U
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	16 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	0	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9400) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Quad Q9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9400 targets Desktop, Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.