Core i7-5500U vs Core 2 Quad Q9400

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Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Quad Q9400
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.38
Core i7-5500U
2015
2 cores / 4 threads, 15 Watt
1.80
+30.4%

i7-5500U outperforms Core 2 Quad Q9400 by a substantial 30% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking21781957
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i7
Architecture codenameYorkfield (2007−2009)Broadwell (2015−2019)
Release dateAugust 2008 (16 years ago)5 January 2015 (9 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$393

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U 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 speedno data2.4 GHz
Boost clock speed2.67 GHz3 GHz
L1 cache64K (per core)128 KB
L2 cache6 MB (shared)512 KB
L3 cache0 KB4 MB
Chip lithography45 nm14 nm
Die size2x 81 mm282 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data105 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)71 °C105 °C
Number of transistors456 million1300 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplierNoNo

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U 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
Socket775BGA
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

AES-NIno data+
AVXno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U are enumerated here.

AMD-Vno data+
VT-xno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1, DDR2, DDR3DDR3
Maximum memory bandwidthno data25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics 5500

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U.

PCI Express lanesno data12

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 Q9400 1.38
i7-5500U 1.80
+30.4%

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 Q9400 2127
i7-5500U 2781
+30.7%

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9400 337
i7-5500U 877
+160%

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.

Core 2 Quad Q9400 937
i7-5500U 1682
+79.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.38 1.80
Physical cores 4 2
Chip lithography 45 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 15 Watt

Core 2 Quad Q9400 has 100% more physical cores.

i7-5500U, on the other hand, has a 30.4% higher aggregate performance score, a 221.4% more advanced lithography process, and 533.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5500U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core 2 Quad Q9400 in performance tests.

Note that Core 2 Quad Q9400 is a desktop processor while Core i7-5500U is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9400 and Core i7-5500U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400
Core 2 Quad Q9400
Intel Core i7-5500U
Core i7-5500U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

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


4.3 1526 votes

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3.3 309 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core 2 Quad Q9400 or Core i7-5500U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.