Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Pentium G3450

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Pentium G3450 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Pentium G3450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 2 Quad Q9400

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,160 vs 2,182).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.4 vs 26.6 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.

Pentium G3450

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $147 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅Delivers 182.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.6 vs 9.4 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3450 better than Core 2 Quad Q9400?

Yes. Pentium G3450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G3450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G3450 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3450 comes in $147 cheaper on MSRP at $82 MSRP versus $229 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 182.1% better value on MSRP (26.6 vs 9.4 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G3450 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs Pentium G3450 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Pentium G3450

The Pentium G3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,182 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G3450 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium G3450 — a 21.1% clock advantage for the Pentium G3450 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G3450 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9400 scores 2,160 against the Pentium G3450's 2,182 — a 1% lead for the Pentium G3450. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3450.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Pentium G3450
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz	3.3 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	3.4 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	2,160	2,182+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G3450 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Pentium G3450
Socket	LGA775	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9400) / not specified (Pentium G3450). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Pentium G3450
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Quad Q9400 was priced at $229, while the Pentium G3450 came in at $82. On launch pricing ($229 vs $82), Pentium G3450 was $147 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9400 delivers 9.4 pts/$ vs 26.6 pts/$ for the Pentium G3450 — making the Pentium G3450 the 95.3% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9400	Pentium G3450
MSRP	$229	$82-64%
Performance per Dollar	9.4	26.6+183%
Release Date	2008	2014

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