Core 2 Quad Q8400 vs Core i7-6950X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6950X
2016
10 cores / 20 threads, 140 Watt
11.35
+741%

Core i7-6950X outperforms Core 2 Quad Q8400 by a whopping 741% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking7062263
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.85no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency7.391.30
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)19 April 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,723no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X 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 cores10 (Deca-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads204
Base clock speed3 GHz2.66 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz0.67 GHz
Bus rate9.6 GT/s / QPI1333 MHz
L1 cache32K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)4 MB (shared)
L3 cache25 MB (shared)0 KB
Chip lithography14 nm45 nm
Die size246 mm22x 82 mm2
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C71 °C
Number of transistors3,800 million456 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-
VID voltage rangeno data0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X 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 configuration11
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA775,LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switchingno data-
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data
FSB parityno data-

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X 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 i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400 are enumerated here.

VT-d+no data
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GBno data
Max memory channels4no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataOn certain motherboards (Chipset feature)

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes40no 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.

i7-6950X 11.35
+741%
Core 2 Quad Q8400 1.35

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.

i7-6950X 17374
+741%
Core 2 Quad Q8400 2067

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.

i7-6950X 1316
+301%
Core 2 Quad Q8400 328

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.

i7-6950X 8588
+862%
Core 2 Quad Q8400 893

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-6950X 19410
+352%
Core 2 Quad Q8400 4290

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 11.35 1.35
Recency 31 May 2016 19 April 2009
Physical cores 10 4
Threads 20 4
Chip lithography 14 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 95 Watt

i7-6950X has a 740.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 7 years, 150% more physical cores and 400% more threads, and a 221.4% more advanced lithography process.

Core 2 Quad Q8400, on the other hand, has 47.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6950X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q8400 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Core 2 Quad Q8400, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6950X
Core i7-6950X
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400
Core 2 Quad Q8400

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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