Core i3-4100M vs Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core i3-4100M
Core 2 Quad Q9650
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 i3-4100M is positioned at rank 114 and the Core 2 Quad Q9650 is on rank 244, so the Core i3-4100M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-4100M
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-4100M | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-4100M | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($99) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i3-4100M and Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core i3-4100M
The Core i3-4100M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,531 points. Launch price was $225.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i3-4100M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i3-4100M versus 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9650 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i3-4100M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-4100M scores 2,531 against the Core 2 Quad Q9650's 2,508 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-4100M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-4100M vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650.
| Feature | Core i3-4100M | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3 GHz+20% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 6 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell (2013−2015) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,531 | 2,508 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-4100M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-4100M | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA946 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-4100M) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650). The Core i3-4100M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-4100M targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i3-4100M | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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