Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs Pro A8-8600B

Core 2 Quad Q9450

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008

Pro A8-8600B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core 2 Quad Q9450

4 / 4

2,208

+0.2%

2,203

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 Pro A8-8600B is on rank 986, so the Pro A8-8600B 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 Pro A8-8600B

#974

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1997%

#975

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1968%

#976

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1807%

#977

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1799%

#978

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1782%

#980

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1721%

#981

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1650%

#982

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1647%

#983

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1603%

#986

Pro A8-8600B

MSRP: $150|Avg: $25

100%

#991

Pentium 8500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

99%

#992

A6-8500P

MSRP: $100|Avg: $16

98%

#994

Core i7-4700EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $180

98%

#995

Core i3-8145UE

MSRP: $281|Avg: $50

97%

#996

Core i7-4712MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $60

96%

#997

Core i7-3615QE

MSRP: $400|Avg: $100

96%

#998

Celeron M U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#999

3015Ce

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

95%

#1000

Core i7-4700MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

95%

#1001

Athlon II M340

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

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 Pro A8-8600B (2015) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR3/DDR3L-2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pro A8-8600B
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Carrizo (2015−2018) / 28 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 (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 Q9450	Pro A8-8600B
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+67%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($15)	⚠️ Higher cost ($25)

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

Pro A8-8600B Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9450 and Pro A8-8600B

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.

Pro A8-8600B

The Pro A8-8600B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 3 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3/DDR3L-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,203 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Quad Q9450 and Pro A8-8600B share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 versus 3 GHz on the Pro A8-8600B — a 11.6% clock advantage for the Pro A8-8600B (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pro A8-8600B uses Carrizo (2015−2018) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 scores 2,208 against the Pro A8-8600B's 2,203 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9450.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pro A8-8600B
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.67 GHz	3 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+66%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	—
L2 Cache	12 MB (total)+500%	2048 kB
Process	45 nm	28 nm-38%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Carrizo (2015−2018)
PassMark	2,208	2,203

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pro A8-8600B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9450	Pro A8-8600B
Socket	LGA775	FP4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%

💰

Value Analysis

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 launched at $316 MSRP, while the Pro A8-8600B debuted at $150. At current prices ($15 vs $25), the Core 2 Quad Q9450 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9450 delivers 147.2 pts/$ vs 88.1 pts/$ for the Pro A8-8600B — making the Core 2 Quad Q9450 the 50.2% better value option.