Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 vs AMD Athlon 64 2600+

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 and AMD Athlon 64 2600+ processors for all known characteristics in the following categories: Essentials, Performance, Memory, Compatibility, Security & Reliability, Advanced Technologies, Virtualization. Benchmark processor performance analysis: PassMark - Single thread mark, PassMark - CPU mark, Geekbench 4 - Single Core, Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core, CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s), CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s).

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300

AMD Athlon 64 2600+

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300

CPU is newer: launch date 10 month(s) later
3 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 1
Around 56% higher clock speed: 2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
8x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
2.4x better performance in PassMark - Single thread mark: 1060 vs 448
5.1x better performance in PassMark - CPU mark: 1892 vs 374

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	November 2008 vs January 2008
Number of cores	4 vs 1
Maximum frequency	2.5 GHz vs 1.6 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
L1 cache	256 KB vs 128 KB
L2 cache	4096 KB vs 512 KB
Benchmarks
PassMark - Single thread mark	1060 vs 448
PassMark - CPU mark	1892 vs 374

Reasons to consider the AMD Athlon 64 2600+

6.3x lower typical power consumption: 15 Watt vs 95 Watt

Thermal Design Power (TDP)	15 Watt vs 95 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
CPU 2: AMD Athlon 64 2600+

PassMark - Single thread mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1060

448

PassMark - CPU mark

CPU 1

CPU 2

1892

374

Name	Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300	AMD Athlon 64 2600+
PassMark - Single thread mark	1060	448
PassMark - CPU mark	1892	374
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	337
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1061
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	0.538
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	15.964
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.135
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	1.117
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	3.999

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300	AMD Athlon 64 2600+
Essentials
Architecture codename	Yorkfield	Lima
Launch date	November 2008	January 2008
Place in performance rating	3079	3080
Price now	$49.99
Processor Number	Q8300
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	17.60
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.50 GHz
Bus Speed	1333 MHz FSB
Die size	164 mm2	77 mm
L1 cache	256 KB	128 KB
L2 cache	4096 KB	512 KB
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	65 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	71 °C
Maximum core temperature	71.4°C
Maximum frequency	2.5 GHz	1.6 GHz
Number of cores	4	1
Transistor count	456 million	122 million
VID voltage range	0.8500V-1.3625V
Memory
Supported memory types	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Compatibility
Low Halogen Options Available
Max number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	LGA775	AM2
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt	15 Watt
Security & Reliability
Execute Disable Bit (EDB)
Intel® Trusted Execution technology (TXT)
Advanced Technologies
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® technology
FSB parity
Idle States
Intel 64
Intel® AES New Instructions
Intel® Demand Based Switching
Intel® Hyper-Threading technology
Intel® Turbo Boost technology
Thermal Monitoring
Virtualization
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x)