Core i7-4500U vs Core 2 Quad Q9650
Core i7-4500U
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 i7-4500U is positioned at rank 1183 and the Core 2 Quad Q9650 is on rank 244, so the Core 2 Quad Q9650 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 Quad Q9650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced 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 (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Quad Q9650
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 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 i7-4500U 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 3 GHz on the Core i7-4500U versus 3 GHz on the Core 2 Quad Q9650 — identical boost frequencies (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-4500U uses the Haswell-ULT (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4500U scores 2,490 against the Core 2 Quad Q9650's 2,508 — a 0.7% lead for the Core 2 Quad Q9650. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4500U vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Quad Q9650.
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.8 GHz | 3 GHz+67% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-ULT (2013) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 2,490 | 2,508 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1168 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 12 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-4500U) / not specified (Core 2 Quad Q9650). The Core i7-4500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 4400), while the Core 2 Quad Q9650 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4500U targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core i7-4500U | Core 2 Quad Q9650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 4400 | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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