Core i3-550 vs Core 2 Quad Q9100

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Quad Q9100
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 45 Watt
1.23
+19.4%
Core i3-550
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.03

Core 2 Quad Q9100 outperforms Core i3-550 by a moderate 19% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23282446
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.06
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesCore 2 Quadno data
Power efficiency2.541.31
Architecture codenamePenryn (2008−2011)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release dateAugust 2008 (16 years ago)30 May 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$101

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.26 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed2.26 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus rate1066 MHz2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB64 KB (per core)
L2 cache6 MB (per die)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache0 KB4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size2x 107 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C73 °C
Number of transistorsno data382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
VID voltage range1.05V-1.175Vno data

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 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 configuration21
SocketPGA478FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)45 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology--
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle Statesno data+
Demand Based Switching--
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+
AMT+no data
FSB parity-no data

Security technologies

Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 are enumerated here.

VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16.38 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

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 Quad Q9100 1.23
+19.4%
i3-550 1.03

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9100 1915
+18.9%
i3-550 1610

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.23 1.03
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 45 Watt 73 Watt

Core 2 Quad Q9100 has a 19.4% higher aggregate performance score, 100% more physical cores, and 62.2% lower power consumption.

i3-550, on the other hand, has a 40.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core 2 Quad Q9100 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-550 in performance tests.

Be aware that Core 2 Quad Q9100 is a notebook processor while Core i3-550 is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9100 and Core i3-550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100
Core 2 Quad Q9100
Intel Core i3-550
Core i3-550

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Community ratings

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


3.8 47 votes

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3.2 423 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core 2 Quad Q9100 or Core i3-550, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.