CPU
GPU
Phenom X3 8450e
Core 2 Duo T9900
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 X3 8450e is positioned at rank 498 and the Core 2 Duo T9900 is on rank 635, so the Phenom X3 8450e offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8450e
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9900
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X3 8450e | Core 2 Duo T9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X3 8450e | Core 2 Duo T9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 X3 8450e and Core 2 Duo T9900
Phenom X3 8450e
The Phenom X3 8450e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,206 points. Launch price was $149.
Core 2 Duo T9900
The Core 2 Duo T9900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,204 points. Launch price was $530.
Processing Power
The Phenom X3 8450e packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T9900 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X3 8450e has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8450e versus 0.07 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9900 — a 187.1% clock advantage for the Phenom X3 8450e. The Phenom X3 8450e uses the Toliman (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X3 8450e scores 1,206 against the Core 2 Duo T9900's 1,204 — a 0.2% lead for the Phenom X3 8450e. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8450e vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9900.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8450e | Core 2 Duo T9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz+2900% | 0.07 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 3.06 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+200% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Toliman (2008) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,206 | 1,204 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X3 8450e uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9900 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8450e | Core 2 Duo T9900 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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