Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100 vs Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9100

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000

The Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 is a quad core laptop processor (with 4 cores) that offers only 2.0 GHz clock speed. The slow core clock leads to a bad performance in single or dual threaded applications (like games from 2008 and beyond).

The Intel Core 2 Quad Q9000 is based on two Penryn dies with each 3MB level 2 cache both produced in 45nm. The chip supports the "Dual Dynamic Acceleration" technique for an automated overclocking of cores (similar to Turbo Boost). With this feature, the Q9000 can overclock one core, when all others are in the deep sleep mode (idle).

The performance of the Core 2 Quad Q9000 is not very good for single threaded applications due to the low core clock speed of 2 GHz. Therefore, most games in 2009 did only run as fast, as on a 2 GHz dual core entry level Core 2 Duo (which is much cheaper). Only some professional applications (like rendering) may perform noticeable better due to the four cores. Therefore, the Q9000 is only suited for a small user group (all others should choose a high clocked Core 2 Duo for the same money).

The power consumption of the Core Q9000 processor is relatively high (as it consists out of two 2 GHz Core 2 Duo CPU dies). Due to the 45 Watt TDP (16.45 - 74.35 Watt min to max consumption) the CPU is only suited for large laptops with good cooling solutions.