EPYC 7281 vs Core 2 Quad Q9550
Aggregate performance score
EPYC 7281 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by a whopping 826% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 2051 | 490 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 2.80 | 3.29 |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Server |
| Series | Core 2 Quad (Desktop) | AMD EPYC |
| Architecture codename | Yorkfield (2007−2009) | Naples (2017−2018) |
| Release date | no data | 29 June 2017 (7 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | no data | $650 |
| Current price | $54 | $1299 (2x MSRP) |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
EPYC 7281 has 18% better value for money than Core 2 Quad Q9550.
Detailed specifications
Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281 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 | 4 (Quad-Core) | 16 (Hexadeca-Core) |
| Threads | 4 | 32 |
| Base clock speed | no data | 2.1 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 2.83 GHz | 2.7 GHz |
| Bus support | 1333 MHz | no data |
| L1 cache | no data | 96K (per core) |
| L2 cache | 12288 KB | 512K (per core) |
| L3 cache | no data | 32 MB (shared) |
| Chip lithography | 45 nm | 14 nm |
| Die size | no data | 192 mm2 |
| Number of transistors | no data | 4,800 million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | Yes |
Compatibility
Information on Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281 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 | 2 (Multiprocessor) |
| Socket | LGA775 | TR4 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 95 Watt | 170 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | no data | + |
| AVX | no data | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281 are enumerated here.
| AMD-V | no data | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR1,DDR2,DDR3 | DDR4 Eight-channel |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 2 TiB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 8 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | no data | 170.671 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | no data | + |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281.
| PCIe version | no data | 3.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 128 |
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.
EPYC 7281 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by 826% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
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.
Benchmark coverage: 68%
EPYC 7281 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by 824% in Passmark.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 1.51 | 13.98 |
| Physical cores | 4 | 16 |
| Threads | 4 | 32 |
| Chip lithography | 45 nm | 14 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 95 Watt | 170 Watt |
The EPYC 7281 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q9550 in performance tests.
Note that Core 2 Quad Q9550 is a desktop processor while EPYC 7281 is a server/workstation one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9550 and EPYC 7281, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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