Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs Core i5-2520M

Core 2 Quad Q9450

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008

Core i5-2520M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9450

4 / 4

2,208

0.0%

2,241

+1.5%

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 Q9450 is positioned at rank 1049 and the Core i5-2520M is on rank 1083, so the Core 2 Quad Q9450 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 Q9450

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

44594%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

42137%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

30595%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

9217%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

7301%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

6387%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

3658%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

3610%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

3287%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

3287%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

3250%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

3163%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

3118%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

3106%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

3078%

#1049

Core 2 Quad Q9450

MSRP: $316|Avg: $15

100%

#1050

Core 2 Duo E8600

MSRP: $200|Avg: $95

99%

#1051

Core 2 Duo E6320

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

98%

#1052

Core i7-980X

MSRP: $999|Avg: $150

98%

#1053

Athlon 64 X2 3600+

MSRP: $150|Avg: $10

97%

#1054

Core 2 Duo E6420

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

97%

#1055

Pentium D 940

MSRP: $132|Avg: $15

95%

#1056

Phenom X4 9600B

MSRP: $278|Avg: $20

95%

#1057

Phenom II X3 B77

MSRP: $281|Avg: $35

94%

#1058

Core 2 Duo E6300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $5

93%

#1059

Core 2 Duo E6400

MSRP: $183|Avg: $10

92%

#1060

Core 2 Duo E8300

MSRP: $163|Avg: $20

91%

#1061

Phenom X4 9500

MSRP: $247|Avg: $30

91%

#1062

Celeron D 352

MSRP: $69|Avg: $15

87%

#1063

Core i7-970

MSRP: $1083|Avg: $289

87%

#1064

Core i7-880

MSRP: $583|Avg: $40

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2520M

#1071

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2946%

#1072

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2903%

#1073

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2665%

#1074

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2653%

#1075

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2628%

#1077

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2538%

#1078

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2434%

#1079

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2430%

#1080

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2364%

#1083

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

100%

#1084

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

100%

#1089

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

96%

#1090

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1092

Celeron B720

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

95%

#1093

Celeron 847

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

95%

#1094

Core i7-2630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1096

Core i7-2635QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

94%

#1097

Celeron 877

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

94%

#1098

Celeron Dual-Core SU2300

MSRP: $134|Avg: $50

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i5-2520M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Quad Q9450 in both compute-intensive tasks (1.5% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Core i5-2520M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Value Proposition: While both processors are considered legacy components by modern standards, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 holds the technical lead in efficiency. Priced at $15 (vs $225), it costs 93% less. While offering basic entry-level performance, it results in a 1378% higher cost efficiency score compared to the Core i5-2520M.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Core i5-2520M
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1378%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

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 Q9450 Benchmark Check

Core i5-2520M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9450 and Core i5-2520M

Core 2 Quad Q9450

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 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: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,208 points. Launch price was $249.

Core i5-2520M

The Core i5-2520M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2520M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M — a 18.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2520M (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2520M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 scores 2,208 against the Core i5-2520M's 2,241 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i5-2520M. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2520M.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Core i5-2520M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz	3.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+6%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB (total)
L2 Cache	12 MB (total)+4700%	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,208	2,241+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i5-2520M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Core i5-2520M
Socket	LGA775	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9450) / true (Core i5-2520M). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.