Core 2 Quad Q9505 vs Pentium N4200

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 Q9505 vs Pentium N4200 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 Q9505 vs Pentium N4200: 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 Q9505

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 13.4 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $161 MSRP).
❌4650% higher power demand at 95W vs 2W.

Pentium N4200

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $52 less on MSRP ($161 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Delivers 31.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.4 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($161 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 95W, a 93W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,158 vs 2,176).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 6 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium N4200 better than Core 2 Quad Q9505?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium N4200 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9505 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core 2 Quad Q9505 also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Quad Q9505 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium N4200 is the better buy right now. Pentium N4200 comes in $52 cheaper on MSRP at $161 MSRP versus $213 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core 2 Quad Q9505 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 31.2% better value on MSRP (13.4 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), 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 N4200 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core 2 Quad Q9505 vs Pentium N4200 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Quad Q9505

The Core 2 Quad Q9505 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 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. 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: 2,176 points. Launch price was $249.

Pentium N4200

The Pentium N4200 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Apollo Lake (2014−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1296. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,158 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Quad Q9505 and Pentium N4200 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.83 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9505 versus 2.5 GHz on the Pentium N4200 — a 100.3% clock advantage for the Pentium N4200 (base: 2.83 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9505 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium N4200 uses Apollo Lake (2014−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9505 scores 2,176 against the Pentium N4200's 2,158 — a 0.8% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9505. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Quad Q9505 vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium N4200.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9505	Pentium N4200
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	0.83 GHz	2.5 GHz+201%
Base Clock	2.83 GHz+157%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB L2 Cache+200%	2 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+200%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Apollo Lake (2014−2016)
PassMark	2,176	2,158

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9505 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium N4200 uses FCBGA1296 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9505	Pentium N4200
Socket	LGA775	FCBGA1296
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 3.0+173%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Quad Q9505) / not specified (Pentium N4200). Primary use case: Core 2 Quad Q9505 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9505	Pentium N4200
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 Q9505 was priced at $213, while the Pentium N4200 came in at $161. On launch pricing ($213 vs $161), Pentium N4200 was $52 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Quad Q9505 delivers 10.2 pts/$ vs 13.4 pts/$ for the Pentium N4200 — making the Pentium N4200 the 27% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9505	Pentium N4200
MSRP	$213	$161-24%
Performance per Dollar	10.2	13.4+31%
Release Date	2009	2016

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