Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs Core 2 Duo SP9600

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2587	2166
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	2.73
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core 2 Duo	no data
Architecture codename	Penryn (2008−2011)	Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date	1 March 2009 (15 years ago)	April 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$316	no data
Current price	no data	$41

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400 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 cores	2 (Dual-core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	2	4
Base clock speed	2.53 GHz	2.66 GHz
Boost clock speed	2.53 GHz	2.67 GHz
Bus support	1066 MHz	no data
L1 cache	128 KB	64K (per core)
L2 cache	6 MB	4 MB (shared)
L3 cache	6 MB L2 Cache	0 KB
Chip lithography	45 nm	45 nm
Die size	107 mm2	2x 81 mm2
Maximum core temperature	105 °C	71 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	71 °C
Number of transistors	410 Million	456 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
VID voltage range	1.05V-1.15V	0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400 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 configuration	no data	1
Socket	BGA479,BGA956,PBGA479	FCLGA775,LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)	25 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	-
EDB	+	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400 are enumerated here.

VT-x

+

+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types

no data

DDR1, DDR2, DDR3

Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	0.73	1.34
Physical cores	2	4
Threads	2	4
Power consumption (TDP)	25 Watt	95 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Duo SP9600 and Core 2 Quad Q8400, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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