Core 2 Quad Q9550 vs Core i7-870S

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-870S
2010
4 cores / 8 threads, 82 Watt
1.74
+18.4%
Core 2 Quad Q9550
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.47

Core i7-870S outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by a moderate 18% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking20272158
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore 2 Quad (Desktop)
Power efficiency2.011.46
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release date19 July 2010 (14 years ago)no data (2024 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 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 cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.66 GHzno data
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz2.83 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KB (per core)no data
L2 cache256 KB (per core)12288 KB
L3 cache8 MB (shared)no data
Chip lithography45 nm45 nm
Die size296 mm2no data
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 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 configuration1no data
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)82 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data
Turbo Boost Technology1.0no data
Hyper-Threading Technology+no data
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data

Security technologies

Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 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 i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR1,DDR2,DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/sno data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550.

PCIe version2.0no data
PCI Express lanes16no 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.

i7-870S 1.74
+18.4%
Core 2 Quad Q9550 1.47

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.

i7-870S 2765
+18.2%
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2339

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.74 1.47
Threads 8 4
Power consumption (TDP) 82 Watt 95 Watt

i7-870S has a 18.4% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more threads, and 15.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-870S is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q9550 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-870S and Core 2 Quad Q9550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-870S
Core i7-870S
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Core 2 Quad Q9550

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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

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-870S or Core 2 Quad Q9550, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.