Phenom II X3 N870 vs Core 2 Duo SL9400

Phenom II X3 N870

3 Cores3 Thrd1.5 WWMax: 2.3 GHz2010

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 Cores2 Thrd6 WWMax: 1.86 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Phenom II X3 N870

3 / 3

2,145

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Core 2 Duo SL9400

2 / 2

2,144

0.0%

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 Phenom II X3 N870 is positioned at rank 250 and the Core 2 Duo SL9400 is on rank 1147, so the Phenom II X3 N870 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X3 N870

#238

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

410%

#239

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

404%

#240

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

371%

#241

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

370%

#242

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

366%

#244

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

354%

#245

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

339%

#246

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

338%

#247

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

329%

#250

Phenom II X3 N870

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9400

#1135

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

3886%

#1136

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

3829%

#1137

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3515%

#1138

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3499%

#1139

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3467%

#1141

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3348%

#1142

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3211%

#1143

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3205%

#1144

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3119%

#1147

Core 2 Duo SL9400

MSRP: $284|Avg: N/A

100%

#1149

Pentium N3540

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

99%

#1150

Core i7-3555LE

MSRP: $300|Avg: $280

99%

#1151

Core i3-2377M

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

98%

#1152

Core 2 Duo E8435

MSRP: $150|Avg: $74

97%

#1153

Celeron M 723

MSRP: $161|Avg: $161

97%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1155

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

96%

#1156

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

95%

#1157

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

94%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1160

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

93%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Phenom II X3 N870 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core 2 Duo SL9400 in both compute-intensive tasks (0% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($284)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Phenom II X3 N870	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($284)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Phenom II X3 N870 Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo SL9400 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Phenom II X3 N870 and Core 2 Duo SL9400

Phenom II X3 N870

The Phenom II X3 N870 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,145 points. Launch price was $149.

Core 2 Duo SL9400

The Core 2 Duo SL9400 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 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.

⚡

Processing Power

The Phenom II X3 N870 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom II X3 N870 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Phenom II X3 N870 versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 21.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X3 N870. The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X3 N870 scores 2,145 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 0% lead for the Phenom II X3 N870.

Feature	Phenom II X3 N870	Core 2 Duo SL9400
Cores / Threads	3 / 3+50%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+24%	1.86 GHz
Base Clock	—	1.86 GHz
L3 Cache	—	6 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1.5 MB	6 MB+300%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Champlain (2010−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	2,145	2,144

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Phenom II X3 N870 uses the S1g4 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.