A9-9420 vs Core 2 Quad Q9550

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core 2 Quad Q9550
2008
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
1.47
+56.4%
A9-9420
2016
2 cores / 2 threads, 15 Watt
0.94

Core 2 Quad Q9550 outperforms A9-9420 by an impressive 56% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking21702523
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
SeriesCore 2 Quad (Desktop)AMD Bristol Ridge
Power efficiency1.465.93
Architecture codenameYorkfield (2007−2009)Stoney Ridge (2016−2019)
Release dateno data31 May 2016 (8 years ago)

Detailed specifications

Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420 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)
Threads42
Base clock speedno data3 GHz
Boost clock speed2.83 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHzno data
L1 cache64K (per core)160 KB
L2 cache12288 KB1 MB (shared)
L3 cache0 KB0 KB
Chip lithography45 nm28 nm
Die size2x 107 mm2125 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data90 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)71 °C74 °C
Number of transistors820 million1,200 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420 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
SocketLGA775FT4
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataVirtualization,
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420 are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR1,DDR2,DDR3DDR4

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataRadeon R5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core 2 Quad (Desktop) Q9550 and A9-9420.

PCIe versionno data3.0
PCI Express lanesno data8

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 Q9550 1.47
+56.4%
A9-9420 0.94

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 Q9550 2338
+55.9%
A9-9420 1500

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 Q9550 370
+13.8%
A9-9420 325

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 Q9550 1038
+108%
A9-9420 500

Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core

Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.

Core 2 Quad Q9550 3106
+8%
A9-9420 2875

Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.

Core 2 Quad Q9550 10825
+124%
A9-9420 4841

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

Core 2 Quad Q9550 3
+107%
A9-9420 2

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.47 0.94
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 4 2
Chip lithography 45 nm 28 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 15 Watt

Core 2 Quad Q9550 has a 56.4% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

A9-9420, on the other hand, has a 60.7% more advanced lithography process, and 533.3% lower power consumption.

The Core 2 Quad Q9550 is our recommended choice as it beats the A9-9420 in performance tests.

Note that Core 2 Quad Q9550 is a desktop processor while A9-9420 is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core 2 Quad Q9550 and A9-9420, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550
Core 2 Quad Q9550
AMD A9-9420
A9-9420

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Community ratings

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