Phenom II X4 910e vs Core 2 Duo SL9400
Phenom II X4 910e
Core 2 Duo SL9400
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 Phenom II X4 910e is positioned at rank 927 and the Core 2 Duo SL9400 is on rank 1147, so the Phenom II X4 910e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X4 910e
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($69) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Deneb (2009−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+312%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($69) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
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 Phenom II X4 910e and Core 2 Duo SL9400
Phenom II X4 910e
The Phenom II X4 910e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 25 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,148 points. Launch price was $157.
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 X4 910e packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom II X4 910e has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 910e versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 33.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X4 910e (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Phenom II X4 910e uses the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X4 910e scores 2,148 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom II X4 910e. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 910e vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.6 GHz+40% | 1.86 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+40% | 1.86 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 6 MB+1100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Deneb (2009−2011) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,148 | 2,144 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X4 910e uses the AM3 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Phenom II X4 910e supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Phenom II X4 910e) vs 16 (Core 2 Duo SL9400) — the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM3 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB+100% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: AMD-V (Phenom II X4 910e) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400). Primary use case: Phenom II X4 910e targets Desktop, Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x |
| Target Use | Desktop | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Phenom II X4 910e launched at $157 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 debuted at $284.
| Feature | Phenom II X4 910e | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $157-45% | $284 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $69 | — |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2008 |
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