Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs A8-6500B
Core 2 Quad Q9650
A8-6500B
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 Q9650 is positioned at rank 244 and the A8-6500B is on rank 486, so the Core 2 Quad Q9650 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9650
Performance Per Dollar A8-6500B
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | A8-6500B |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Richland (2013−2014) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | A8-6500B |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 Q9650 and A8-6500B
Core 2 Quad Q9650
The Core 2 Quad Q9650 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. 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: 2,508 points. Launch price was $249.
A8-6500B
The A8-6500B is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Richland (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM2. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $90.
Processing Power
Both the Core 2 Quad Q9650 and A8-6500B share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 versus 4.1 GHz on the A8-6500B — a 31% clock advantage for the A8-6500B (base: 3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the A8-6500B uses Richland (2013−2014) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9650 scores 2,508 against the A8-6500B's 2,497 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9650.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | A8-6500B |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 4.1 GHz+37% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.5 GHz+17% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | — |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Richland (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 2,508 | 2,497 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the A8-6500B uses FM2 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | A8-6500B |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | FM2 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 3.0+173% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650) / true (A8-6500B). The A8-6500B includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 8570D), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: A8-6500B rivals Core i3-4130.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | A8-6500B |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Radeon HD 8570D |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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