Celeron N4505 vs Xeon E5420

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.

Celeron N4505 vs Xeon E5420 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron N4505 vs Xeon E5420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron N4505

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 10W instead of 80W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5420 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,037 vs 2,044).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5420, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5420

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $7,214 MSRP, while Celeron N4505 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌700% higher power demand at 80W vs 10W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5420 better than Celeron N4505?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5420 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Celeron N4505 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5420 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5420 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $7,214 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (0.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron N4505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron N4505 vs Xeon E5420 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron N4505

The Celeron N4505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,037 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5420

The Xeon E5420 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,044 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Celeron N4505 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Celeron N4505 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 — a 14.8% clock advantage for the Celeron N4505 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Celeron N4505 uses the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture (10 nm), while the Xeon E5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4505 scores 2,037 against the Xeon E5420's 2,044 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5420. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Celeron N4505 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420.

Feature	Celeron N4505	Xeon E5420
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+200%
L2 Cache	1.5 MB (total)	6 MB (total)+300%
Process	10 nm-78%	45 nm
Architecture	Jasper Lake (2021)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,037	2,044
Geekbench 6 Single	—	314
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	881

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4505 uses the BGA1338 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4505	Xeon E5420
Socket	BGA1338	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+100%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	32