Core 2 Quad Q9450
VS
PRO A8-9600B

Core 2 Quad Q9450 vs PRO A8-9600B

Intel

Core 2 Quad Q9450

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.67 GHz2008
VS
AMD

PRO A8-9600B

4 Cores4 Thrd2 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2016

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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 A8-9600B is on rank 508, so the PRO A8-9600B 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

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
44594%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
42137%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
30595%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
9217%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
7301%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
6387%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
3658%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
3610%
#9
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 A8-9600B

#161
Core Ultra 7 268V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $400
100%
#162
Core Ultra 7 256V
MSRP: $450|Avg: $350
99%
#496
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
668%
#497
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
659%
#498
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
605%
#499
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
602%
#500
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
596%
#502
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
576%
#503
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
552%
#504
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
551%
#505
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
536%
#508
PRO A8-9600B
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
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 A8-9600B (2016) utilizes 28 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore 2 Quad Q9450PRO A8-9600B
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) / 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.
InsightCore 2 Quad Q9450PRO A8-9600B
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($15)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core 2 Quad Q9450 and PRO A8-9600B

Intel

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.

AMD

PRO A8-9600B

The PRO A8-9600B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,195 points. Launch price was $69.

Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Quad Q9450 and PRO A8-9600B share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 versus 3.3 GHz on the PRO A8-9600B — a 21.1% clock advantage for the PRO A8-9600B (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the PRO A8-9600B uses Bristol Ridge (2016−2019) (28 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9450 scores 2,208 against the PRO A8-9600B's 2,195 — a 0.6% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9450.

FeatureCore 2 Quad Q9450PRO A8-9600B
Cores / Threads
4 / 4
4 / 4
Boost Clock
2.67 GHz
3.3 GHz+24%
Base Clock
2.66 GHz+11%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
L2 Cache
12 MB (total)+500%
2048 kB
Process
45 nm
28 nm-38%
Architecture
Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Bristol Ridge (2016−2019)
PassMark
2,208
2,195
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the PRO A8-9600B uses FP4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore 2 Quad Q9450PRO A8-9600B
Socket
LGA775
FP4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 1.1
PCIe 3.0+173%