Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom X4 9450e

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom X4 9450e Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Solo SU3500

1 / 1

1,468

+0.9%

1,455

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom X4 9450e 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 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom X4 9450e: 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 Solo SU3500

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Costs $188 less on MSRP ($262 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.6 vs 3.2 PassMark/$ ($262 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Draws 3W instead of 65W, a 62W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Phenom X4 9450e

2008

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,455 vs 1,468).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.2 vs 5.6 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $262 MSRP).
❌2066.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 3W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 2 Solo SU3500 better than Phenom X4 9450e?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X4 9450e is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark. Core 2 Solo SU3500 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 2 Solo SU3500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 1 cores and 1 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500 is the better buy right now. Core 2 Solo SU3500 comes in $188 cheaper on MSRP at $262 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom X4 9450e is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 73.3% better value on MSRP (5.6 vs 3.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2008), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 1 cores / 1 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 Solo SU3500 vs Phenom X4 9450e Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Solo SU3500

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 5.5 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,468 points. Launch price was $262.

Phenom X4 9450e

The Phenom X4 9450e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,455 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 packs 1 cores / 1 threads, while the Phenom X4 9450e offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9450e has 3 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.4 GHz on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 versus 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X4 9450e — a 40% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9450e. The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom X4 9450e uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 scores 1,468 against the Phenom X4 9450e's 1,455 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Solo SU3500. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core 2 Solo SU3500 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9450e.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom X4 9450e
Cores / Threads	1 / 1	4 / 4+300%
Boost Clock	1.4 GHz	2.1 GHz+50%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB+500%	512 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm-31%	65 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Agena (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,468	1,455

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Solo SU3500 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom X4 9450e uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom X4 9450e
Socket	BGA956	AM2+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Solo SU3500 was priced at $262, while the Phenom X4 9450e came in at $450. On launch pricing ($262 vs $450), Core 2 Solo SU3500 was $188 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Solo SU3500 delivers 5.6 pts/$ vs 3.2 pts/$ for the Phenom X4 9450e — making the Core 2 Solo SU3500 the 53.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Solo SU3500	Phenom X4 9450e
MSRP	$262-42%	$450
Performance per Dollar	5.6+75%	3.2
Release Date	2009	2008

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