Pentium P6300 vs Phenom X4 9550

Intel

Pentium P6300

2 Cores2 Thrd35 WWMax: 0.27 GHz2011
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Phenom X4 9550

4 Cores4 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2008
Similar parts
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Pentium P6300 vs Phenom X4 9550 Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium P6300 vs Phenom X4 9550 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Pentium P6300 vs Phenom X4 9550: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Pentium P6300

2011

Why buy it

  • +1.1% higher PassMark.
  • +50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
  • Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $80 MSRP, while Phenom X4 9550 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Phenom X4 9550

2008

Why buy it

    Trade-offs

    • Lower PassMark (1,667 vs 1,685).
    • Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
    • 171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

    Quick Answers

    So, is Pentium P6300 better than Phenom X4 9550?
    It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Phenom X4 9550 is ahead with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6300 pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Pentium P6300 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
    Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
    For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium P6300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
    Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
    Pentium P6300 is the better buy right now. Pentium P6300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $80 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Phenom X4 9550 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (21.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
    Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
    Pentium P6300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008), 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

    Pentium P6300 vs Phenom X4 9550 Technical Specifications

    Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

    Intel

    Pentium P6300

    The Pentium P6300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.27 GHz, with boost up to 0.27 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,685 points. Launch price was $69.

    AMD

    Phenom X4 9550

    The Phenom X4 9550 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Agena (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,667 points. Launch price was $149.

    Processing Power

    The Pentium P6300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Phenom X4 9550 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X4 9550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.27 GHz on the Pentium P6300 versus 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9550 — a 156.3% clock advantage for the Phenom X4 9550. The Pentium P6300 uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Phenom X4 9550 uses Agena (2007−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium P6300 scores 1,685 against the Phenom X4 9550's 1,667 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium P6300. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium P6300 vs 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9550.

    FeaturePentium P6300Phenom X4 9550
    Cores / Threads
    2 / 2
    4 / 4+100%
    Boost Clock
    0.27 GHz
    2.2 GHz+715%
    Base Clock
    2.27 GHz
    L3 Cache
    3 MB (total)+50%
    2 MB (total)
    L2 Cache
    256K (per core)
    512 kB (per core)+100%
    Process
    32 nm-51%
    65 nm
    Architecture
    Arrandale (2010−2011)
    Agena (2007−2008)
    PassMark
    1,685+1%
    1,667
    🧠

    Memory & Platform

    The Pentium P6300 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Phenom X4 9550 uses AM2+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

    FeaturePentium P6300Phenom X4 9550
    Socket
    PGA988
    AM2+
    PCIe Generation
    PCIe 2.0
    PCIe 2.0