CPU
GPU
Core i3-5020U
Core 2 Quad Q9450
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 i3-5020U is positioned at rank 598 and the Core 2 Quad Q9450 is on rank 1049, so the Core i3-5020U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5020U
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Quad Q9450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-5020U | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-5020U | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($15) |
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 i3-5020U and Core 2 Quad Q9450
Core i3-5020U
The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.
Core 2 Quad Q9450
The Core 2 Quad Q9450 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 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,208 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Core i3-5020U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Quad Q9450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U versus 2.67 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9450 — a 19.3% clock advantage for the Core 2 Quad Q9450 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i3-5020U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5020U scores 2,232 against the Core 2 Quad Q9450's 2,208 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i3-5020U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9450.
| Feature | Core i3-5020U | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.67 GHz+21% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.66 GHz+21% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 12 MB (total)+4700% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-U (2015) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,232+1% | 2,208 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 600 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,200 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-5020U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-5020U | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3L-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9450). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Core 2 Quad Q9450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop.
| Feature | Core i3-5020U | Core 2 Quad Q9450 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 5500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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