Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 vs AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)

Comparative analysis of Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 and AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W) 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, 3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score, 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 Q9400

AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)

Differences

Reasons to consider the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400

CPU is newer: launch date 1 month(s) later
Around 7% higher clock speed: 2.67 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
A newer manufacturing process allows for a more powerful, yet cooler running processor: 45 nm vs 65 nm
3x more L2 cache, more data can be stored in the L2 cache for quick access later
Around 32% lower typical power consumption: 95 Watt vs 125 Watt
Around 23% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Single Core: 376 vs 305
Around 16% better performance in Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core: 1151 vs 995

Specifications (specs)
Launch date	August 2008 vs July 2008
Maximum frequency	2.67 GHz vs 2.5 GHz
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm vs 65 nm
L2 cache	6144 KB vs 512 KB (per core)
Thermal Design Power (TDP)	95 Watt vs 125 Watt
Benchmarks
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	376 vs 305
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1151 vs 995

Reasons to consider the AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)

2x more L1 cache, more data can be stored in the L1 cache for quick access later

L1 cache	128 KB (per core) vs 256 KB

Compare benchmarks

CPU 1: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400
CPU 2: AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)

Geekbench 4 - Single Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

376

305

Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core

CPU 1

CPU 2

1151

995

Name	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400	AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)
PassMark - Single thread mark	1138
PassMark - CPU mark	2125
Geekbench 4 - Single Core	376	305
Geekbench 4 - Multi-Core	1151	995
3DMark Fire Strike - Physics Score	0
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Face Detection (mPixels/s)	0.574
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Ocean Surface Simulation (Frames/s)	26.509
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - T-Rex (Frames/s)	0.136
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Video Composition (Frames/s)	0.094
CompuBench 1.5 Desktop - Bitcoin Mining (mHash/s)	4.189

Compare specifications (specs)

	Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400	AMD Phenom X4 9850 (125W)
Essentials
Architecture codename	Yorkfield	Agena
Launch date	August 2008	July 2008
Place in performance rating	3116	3136
Price now	$33.98
Processor Number	Q9400
Series	Legacy Intel® Core™ Processors
Status	Discontinued
Value for money (0-100)	28.99
Vertical segment	Desktop	Desktop
Performance
64 bit support
Base frequency	2.66 GHz
Bus Speed	1333 MHz FSB
Die size	164 mm2	285 mm
L1 cache	256 KB	128 KB (per core)
L2 cache	6144 KB	512 KB (per core)
Manufacturing process technology	45 nm	65 nm
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	71 °C
Maximum core temperature	71.4°C
Maximum frequency	2.67 GHz	2.5 GHz
Number of cores	4	4
Transistor count	456 million	450 million
VID voltage range	0.8500V-1.3625V
L3 cache		2048 KB (shared)
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	125 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)
AMD Virtualization (AMD-V™)