Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 vs AMD Opteron 846

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 and AMD Opteron 846 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).

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300

AMD Opteron 846

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300

CPU is newer: launch date 3 year(s) 2 month(s) later
3 more cores, run more applications at once: 4 vs 1
Around 25% higher clock speed: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 90 nm
2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later
6x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later

Launch date	March 2008 vs December 2004
Number of cores	4 vs 1
Maximum frequency	2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 90 nm
L1 cache	256 KB vs 128 KB
L2 cache	6144 KB vs 1024 KB

Reasons to consider the AMD Opteron 846

Around 12% lower typical power consumption: 85 Watt vs 95 Watt

Max number of CPUs in a configuration	8 vs 1
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	85 Watt vs 95 Watt

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300
CPU 2: AMD Opteron 846

Name	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300	AMD Opteron 846
PassMark - Single thread mark	1082
PassMark - CPU mark	1996
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	348
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1074
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	0.473
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	24.465

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300	AMD Opteron 846
Essentials
Architecture codename	Yorkfield	Athens
Launch date	March 2008	December 2004
Place in performance rating	2879	not rated
Price now	$49.99
Processor Number	Q9300
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	18.63
Vertical segment	Desktop	Server
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.50 GHz
Bus Speed	1333 MHz FSB
Die size	164 mm2	193 mm
L1 cache	256 KB	128 KB
L2 cache	6144 KB	1024 KB
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	90 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	71 °C
Maximum core temperature	71.4°C
Maximum frequency	2.5 GHz	2 GHz
Number of cores	4	1
Transistor count	456 million	106 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	8
Package Size	37.5mm x 37.5mm
Sockets supported	LGA775	940
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt	85 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)
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)