CPU
GPU
Phenom X4 9550
Core 2 Duo T9300
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 X4 9550 is positioned at rank 382 and the Core 2 Duo T9300 is on rank 176, so the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X4 9550
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo T9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X4 9550 | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Agena (2007−2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X4 9550 | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($20) |
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 X4 9550 and Core 2 Duo T9300
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.
Core 2 Duo T9300
The Core 2 Duo T9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,670 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Phenom X4 9550 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T9300 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Phenom X4 9550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Phenom X4 9550 versus 2.5 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T9300 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T9300. The Phenom X4 9550 uses the Agena (2007−2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X4 9550 scores 1,667 against the Core 2 Duo T9300's 1,670 — a 0.2% lead for the Core 2 Duo T9300. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X4 9550 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T9300.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz | 2.5 GHz+14% |
| Base Clock | — | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 6 MB L2 Cache+200% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core) | 6 MB+1100% |
| Process | 65 nm | 45 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Agena (2007−2008) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,667 | 1,670 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 432 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X4 9550 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Phenom X4 9550) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo T9300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T9300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T9300 rivals Athlon Silver 3050U.
| Feature | Phenom X4 9550 | Core 2 Duo T9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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