Phenom X4 9600 vs Core 2 Duo E8600

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Duo E8600
2008
2 cores / 2 threads, 65 Watt
0.90
Phenom X4 9600
2007
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.05
+16.7%

Phenom X4 9600 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8600 by a moderate 17% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking25502446
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Power efficiency1.271.01
Architecture codenameWolfdale (2008−2010)Agena (2007−2008)
Release dateAugust 2008 (16 years ago)November 2007 (17 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads24
Base clock speed3.33 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.33 GHz2.3 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHzno data
L1 cache64 KB128 KB (per core)
L2 cache6 MB (shared)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache0 KB2 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm65 nm
Die size107 mm2285 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors410 million450 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage range0.85V-1.3625Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketLGA775AM2+
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology-no data
Hyper-Threading Technology-no data
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Demand Based Switching-no data
FSB parity-no data

Security technologies

Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-d+no data
VT-x+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core 2 Duo E8600 0.90
Phenom X4 9600 1.05
+16.7%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Core 2 Duo E8600 1380
Phenom X4 9600 1607
+16.4%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

Core 2 Duo E8600 404
+93.3%
Phenom X4 9600 209

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

Core 2 Duo E8600 663
Phenom X4 9600 696
+5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.90 1.05
Physical cores 2 4
Threads 2 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 65 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 95 Watt

Core 2 Duo E8600 has a 44.4% more advanced lithography process, and 46.2% lower power consumption.

Phenom X4 9600, on the other hand, has a 16.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

The Phenom X4 9600 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Duo E8600 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Duo E8600 and Phenom X4 9600, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core 2 Duo E8600
Core 2 Duo E8600
AMD Phenom X4 9600
Phenom X4 9600

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

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