Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Core m3-6Y30

Core 2 Quad Q9400

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008

Core m3-6Y30

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9400

4 / 4

2,160

0.0%

2,180

+0.9%

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is positioned at rank 1003 and the Core m3-6Y30 is on rank 1136, so the Core 2 Quad Q9400 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 m3-6Y30

#1124

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3781%

#1125

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3726%

#1126

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3420%

#1127

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3405%

#1128

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3373%

#1130

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3258%

#1131

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3124%

#1132

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3119%

#1133

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3035%

#1136

Core m3-6Y30

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1137

Core i3-2340UE

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

100%

#1138

Core i7-2820QM

MSRP: $568|Avg: N/A

99%

#1139

Core i5-520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

99%

#1141

Celeron 807

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

98%

#1142

Pentium B950

MSRP: $134|Avg: $35

98%

#1143

Celeron 220

MSRP: $42|Avg: $42

98%

#1144

Pentium B960

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

98%

#1146

Pentium 957

MSRP: $134|Avg: $10

98%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

97%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

96%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

95%

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 m3-6Y30 (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core m3-6Y30
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Skylake-Y (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 m3-6Y30
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1014%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($25)	⚠️ Higher cost ($281)

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 m3-6Y30 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core m3-6Y30

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 m3-6Y30

The Core m3-6Y30 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 0.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,180 points. Launch price was $281.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core m3-6Y30 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 2.2 GHz on the Core m3-6Y30 — a 19.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9400 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 0.9 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9400 scores 2,160 against the Core m3-6Y30's 2,180 — a 0.9% lead for the Core m3-6Y30. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m3-6Y30.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core m3-6Y30
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz+21%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+196%	0.9 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+2300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,160	2,180

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core m3-6Y30 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core m3-6Y30
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9400) / not specified (Core m3-6Y30). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Core m3-6Y30
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 launched at $229 MSRP, while the Core m3-6Y30 debuted at $281. At current prices ($25 vs $281), the Core 2 Quad Q9400 is $256 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9400 delivers 86.4 pts/$ vs 7.8 pts/$ for the Core m3-6Y30 — making the Core 2 Quad Q9400 the 167% better value option.