Pentium G2140 vs Core 2 Duo SP9400
Pentium G2140
Core 2 Duo SP9400
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 Pentium G2140 is positioned at rank 775 and the Core 2 Duo SP9400 is on rank 631, so the Core 2 Duo SP9400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G2140
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G2140 | Core 2 Duo SP9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($95) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G2140 | Core 2 Duo SP9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($95) | ✅ 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 Pentium G2140 and Core 2 Duo SP9400
Pentium G2140
The Pentium G2140 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,092 points. Launch price was $69.
Core 2 Duo SP9400
The Core 2 Duo SP9400 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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: 2,083 points. Launch price was $284.
Processing Power
Both the Pentium G2140 and Core 2 Duo SP9400 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. The Core 2 Duo SP9400 is built on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G2140 scores 2,092 against the Core 2 Duo SP9400's 2,083 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium G2140. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 550 vs 340, a 47.2% lead for the Pentium G2140 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 920 vs 600 (42.1% advantage for the Pentium G2140). L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2140 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9400.
| Feature | Pentium G2140 | Core 2 Duo SP9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | — | 2.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.3 GHz+38% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache+100% |
| L2 Cache | — | 6 MB |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | — | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,092 | 2,083 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 550+62% | 340 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 920+53% | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G2140 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Pentium G2140 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75 (Pentium G2140) and GS45 (Core 2 Duo SP9400).
| Feature | Pentium G2140 | Core 2 Duo SP9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Pentium G2140 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics), while the Core 2 Duo SP9400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2140 targets Legacy Desktop, Core 2 Duo SP9400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo SP9400 rivals Athlon II X2 245e.
| Feature | Pentium G2140 | Core 2 Duo SP9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics | GMA X4500HD |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | Budget |
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