Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs Xeon L5420
Core 2 Duo SL9400
Xeon L5420
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 SL9400 is positioned at rank 1147 and the Xeon L5420 is on rank 847, so the Xeon L5420 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 SL9400
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L5420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SL9400 | Xeon L5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core 2 Duo SL9400 | Xeon L5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 SL9400 and Xeon L5420
Core 2 Duo SL9400
The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.
Xeon L5420
The Xeon L5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 March 2008 (17 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): 50 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,143 points. Launch price was $380.
Processing Power
The Core 2 Duo SL9400 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon L5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon L5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon L5420 — a 29.4% clock advantage for the Xeon L5420 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon L5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SL9400 scores 2,144 against the Xeon L5420's 2,143 — a 0% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon L5420.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9400 | Xeon L5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.5 GHz+34% |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.5 GHz+34% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB L2 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+100% |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB | 6 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Penryn (2008−2011) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,144 | 2,143 |
Memory & Platform
The Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon L5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9400 | Xeon L5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA956 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 1.1 | PCIe 2.0+82% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400) / not specified (Xeon L5420). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Core 2 Duo SL9400 | Xeon L5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Mobile | — |
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