Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs Core 2 Duo P8400
Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core 2 Duo P8400
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 Core 2 Duo P8400 is on rank 33, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 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 Core 2 Duo P8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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 Core 2 Duo P8400
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.
Core 2 Duo P8400
The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Quad Q9650 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 28.1% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9650 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9650 scores 2,508 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 0.4% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9650. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+33% | 2.26 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+33% | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 3 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+100% | 3 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,508 | 2,497 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650) / true (Core 2 Duo P8400). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.
| Feature | Core 2 Quad Q9650 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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