Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E5-2403

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.

Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E5-2403 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.

Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E5-2403: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo T6670

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 80W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2403 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,365 vs 2,367).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2403, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5-2403

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌3900% higher power demand at 80W vs 2W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2403 better than Core 2 Duo T6670?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2403 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core 2 Duo T6670 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 E5-2403 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 E5-2403 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2403 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2403 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E5-2403 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2009), 400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo T6670 vs Xeon E5-2403 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo T6670

The Core 2 Duo T6670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,365 points. Launch price was $249.

Xeon E5-2403

The Xeon E5-2403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $230.

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Processing Power

The Core 2 Duo T6670 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5-2403 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2403 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T6670 versus 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2403 — a 20% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo T6670 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core 2 Duo T6670 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo T6670 scores 2,365 against the Xeon E5-2403's 2,367 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2403. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo T6670 vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2403.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6670	Xeon E5-2403
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+22%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+22%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB L2 Cache	10240 kB (total)+400%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	2,365	2,367
Geekbench 6 Single	252	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	252	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo T6670 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core 2 Duo T6670	Xeon E5-2403
Socket	PGA478	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	0	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Core 2 Duo T6670) / not specified (Xeon E5-2403). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T6670 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T6670 rivals Core 2 Duo T6600.