Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs Pentium G4400TE

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 Q9450 vs Pentium G4400TE 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 Q9450 vs Pentium G4400TE: 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 Q9450

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌
5.3% HIGHER MSRP
$316 MSRPvs$300 MSRP
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium G4400TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium G4400TE

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $16 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $316 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 510, while Core 2 Quad Q9450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Quad Q9450 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,190 vs 2,208).

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Quad Q9450 better than Pentium G4400TE?

Yes. Core 2 Quad Q9450 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 2 Quad Q9450 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core 2 Quad Q9450 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 2 Quad Q9450 comes in 5.3% more expensive on MSRP at $316 MSRP versus $300 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G4400TE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 4.5% better value on paper (7.3 vs 7.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Pentium G4400TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs Pentium G4400TE Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium G4400TE

The Pentium G4400TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,190 points. Launch price was $64.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium G4400TE offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium G4400TE — a 10.7% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9450. The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium G4400TE uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 scores 2,208 against the Pentium G4400TE's 2,190 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9450. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs 3 MB on the Pentium G4400TE.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pentium G4400TE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz+11%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	0 kB	3 MB
L2 Cache	12 MB (total)+2300%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	2,208	2,190

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium G4400TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pentium G4400TE
Socket	LGA775	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9450) / VT-x (Pentium G4400TE). The Pentium G4400TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G4400TE targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pentium G4400TE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 510
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 was priced at $316, while the Pentium G4400TE came in at $300. On launch pricing ($316 vs $300), Pentium G4400TE was $16 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9450 delivers 7.0 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Pentium G4400TE — making the Pentium G4400TE the 4.4% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pentium G4400TE
MSRP	$316	$300-5%
Performance per Dollar	7.0	7.3+4%
Release Date	2008	2015

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