CPU
GPU
Core 2 Duo E4400
Xeon L3406
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 Core 2 Duo E4400 is positioned at rank 1001 and the Xeon L3406 is on rank 969, so the Xeon L3406 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo E4400
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L3406
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Allendale (2006−2009) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+49%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($20) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) |
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 Core 2 Duo E4400 and Xeon L3406
Core 2 Duo E4400
The Core 2 Duo E4400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $249.
Xeon L3406
The Xeon L3406 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo E4400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Xeon L3406's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo E4400 versus 2.53 GHz on the Xeon L3406 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Xeon L3406 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core 2 Duo E4400 is built on the Allendale (2006−2009) architecture. In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo E4400 scores 1,095 against the Xeon L3406's 1,104 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon L3406. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo E4400 vs 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3406.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.53 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.26 GHz+13% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB | — |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Allendale (2006−2009) | — |
| PassMark | 1,095 | 1,104 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 208 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo E4400 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon L3406 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA775 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 0 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: None (Core 2 Duo E4400) / not specified (Xeon L3406). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo E4400 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo E4400 rivals Athlon II X2 240.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | None | — |
| Target Use | Budget | — |
Value Analysis
The Core 2 Duo E4400 launched at $113 MSRP, while the Xeon L3406 debuted at $189. At current prices ($20 vs $30), the Core 2 Duo E4400 is $10 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo E4400 delivers 54.8 pts/$ vs 36.8 pts/$ for the Xeon L3406 — making the Core 2 Duo E4400 the 39.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo E4400 | Xeon L3406 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $113-40% | $189 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $20-33% | $30 |
| Performance per Dollar | 54.8+49% | 36.8 |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2010 |
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