Core i7-4500U vs Core 2 Duo SP9300
Core i7-4500U
Core 2 Duo SP9300
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 i7-4500U is positioned at rank 1183 and the Core 2 Duo SP9300 is on rank 535, so the Core 2 Duo SP9300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4500U
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Duo SP9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($398) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-ULT (2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Duo SP9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($398) | ✅ 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 i7-4500U and Core 2 Duo SP9300
Core i7-4500U
The Core i7-4500U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,490 points. Launch price was $69.
Core 2 Duo SP9300
The Core 2 Duo SP9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 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: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,517 points. Launch price was $284.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo SP9300's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 — a 28.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4500U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i7-4500U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4500U scores 2,490 against the Core 2 Duo SP9300's 2,517 — a 1.1% lead for the Core 2 Duo SP9300. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9300.
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Duo SP9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+33% | 2.26 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 2.26 GHz+26% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 6 MB+2300% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-ULT (2013) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,490 | 2,517+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Core i7-4500U versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SP9300 — the Core i7-4500U supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-4500U supports up to 16 of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 12 (Core i7-4500U) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo SP9300) — the Core i7-4500U offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-U (Core i7-4500U) and GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9300).
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Duo SP9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600+53233% | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | 8 GB+52428700% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: true (Core i7-4500U) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo SP9300). The Core i7-4500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Duo SP9300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Duo SP9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | — |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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