Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs Pentium Gold 4415Y

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 Q9650 vs Pentium Gold 4415Y 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 Q9650 vs Pentium Gold 4415Y: 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 Q9650

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,508 vs 2,521).
❌1483.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 6W.

Pentium Gold 4415Y

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 6W instead of 95W, a 89W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 2 Quad Q9650 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 4415Y better than Core 2 Quad Q9650?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core 2 Quad Q9650 is ahead with a 5.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4415Y pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 4415Y is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold 4415Y still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold 4415Y comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium Gold 4415Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs Pentium Gold 4415Y Technical Specifications

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

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.

Pentium Gold 4415Y

The Pentium Gold 4415Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,521 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Quad Q9650 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold 4415Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 versus 1.6 GHz on the Pentium Gold 4415Y — a 60.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9650 (base: 3 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Gold 4415Y uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Quad Q9650 scores 2,508 against the Pentium Gold 4415Y's 2,521 — a 0.5% lead for the Pentium Gold 4415Y. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 vs 2 MB on the Pentium Gold 4415Y.

Feature	Core 2 Quad Q9650	Pentium Gold 4415Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3 GHz+87%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+87%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	2 MB
L2 Cache	6 MB (total)+1100%	512 kB
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Yorkfield (2007−2009)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	2,508	2,521

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Pentium Gold 4415Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.