A8-3870K vs Xeon E5440
A8-3870K
Xeon E5440
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The A8-3870K is positioned at rank 502 and the Xeon E5440 is on rank 1008, so the A8-3870K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar A8-3870K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5440
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | A8-3870K | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($37) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Llano (2011−2012) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | A8-3870K | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($37) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of A8-3870K and Xeon E5440
A8-3870K
The A8-3870K is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2014-01-01. It is based on the Llano (2011−2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: FM1. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,360 points. Launch price was $90.
Xeon E5440
The Xeon E5440 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $690.
Processing Power
Both the A8-3870K and Xeon E5440 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the A8-3870K versus 0.83 GHz on the Xeon E5440 — a 113.3% clock advantage for the A8-3870K (base: 3 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The A8-3870K uses the Llano (2011−2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5440 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the A8-3870K scores 2,360 against the Xeon E5440's 2,367 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5440. L3 cache: 0 kB on the A8-3870K vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5440.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz+261% | 0.83 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz+6% | 2.83 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 12 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+500% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Llano (2011−2012) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,360 | 2,367 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 380 | — |
Memory & Platform
The A8-3870K uses the FM1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5440 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FM1 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: AMD-V (A8-3870K) / not specified (Xeon E5440). The A8-3870K includes integrated graphics (Radeon HD 6550D), while the Xeon E5440 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: A8-3870K targets Budget Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: A8-3870K rivals Core i3-2125.
| Feature | A8-3870K | Xeon E5440 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Radeon HD 6550D | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | — |
| Target Use | Budget Gaming Desktop | — |
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