Core 2 Quad Q9550 vs Core 2 Duo E8600

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Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Duo E8600
2008
2 cores / 2 threads, 65 Watt
0.89
Core 2 Quad Q9550
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.51
+69.7%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8600 by an impressive 70% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core 2 Quad Q9550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking24662073
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.782.80
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataCore 2 Quad (Desktop)
Architecture codenameWolfdale (2008−2010)Yorkfield (2007−2009)
Release dateAugust 2008 (15 years ago)no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Core 2 Quad Q9550 has 57% better value for money than Core 2 Duo E8600.

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core 2 Quad 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 cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads24
Boost clock speed3.33 GHz2.83 GHz
Bus supportno data1333 MHz
L1 cache64 KBno data
L2 cache6 MB (shared)12288 KB
L3 cache0 KBno data
Chip lithography45 nm45 nm
Die size107 mm2no data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistors410 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core 2 Quad 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
Socket775LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)65 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core 2 Quad Q9550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Duo E8600 and Core 2 Quad Q9550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3DDR1,DDR2,DDR3

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 0.89
Core 2 Quad Q9550 1.51
+69.7%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8600 by 70% 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%

Core 2 Duo E8600 1375
Core 2 Quad Q9550 2342
+70.3%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8600 by 70% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 41%

Core 2 Duo E8600 403
+9.2%
Core 2 Quad Q9550 369

Core 2 Duo E8600 outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9550 by 9% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 41%

Core 2 Duo E8600 667
Core 2 Quad Q9550 1048
+57.1%

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms Core 2 Duo E8600 by 57% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 0.89 1.51
Physical cores 2 4
Threads 2 4
Power consumption (TDP) 65 Watt 95 Watt

Core 2 Duo E8600 has 46.2% lower power consumption.

Core 2 Quad Q9550, on the other hand, has a 69.7% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

The Core 2 Quad Q9550 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 Core 2 Quad Q9550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core 2 Duo E8600
Core 2 Duo E8600
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Core 2 Quad Q9550

Similar processor comparisons

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Community ratings

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


4 273 votes

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4.1 1837 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core 2 Duo E8600 or Core 2 Quad Q9550, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.