Core i3-2102 vs Xeon E5420
Core i3-2102
Xeon E5420
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 i3-2102 is positioned at rank 857 and the Xeon E5420 is on rank 1033, so the Core i3-2102 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-2102
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5420
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+42915%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($15) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) |
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 i3-2102 and Xeon E5420
Core i3-2102
The Core i3-2102 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,029 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.
Processing Power
The Core i3-2102 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i3-2102 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 — a 21.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-2102 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-2102 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-2102 scores 2,029 against the Xeon E5420's 2,044 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5420. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 515 vs 314, a 48.5% lead for the Core i3-2102 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,082 vs 881 (20.5% advantage for the Core i3-2102). L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-2102 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.1 GHz+24% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+24% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 12 MB L2 Cache+300% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 6 MB (total)+2300% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,029 | 2,044 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 515+64% | 314 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,082+23% | 881 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-2102 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i3-2102 versus DDR2-667 on the Xeon E5420 — the Core i3-2102 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-2102) vs 4 (Xeon E5420). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i3-2102) vs 32 (Xeon E5420) — the Xeon E5420 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-2102) and Intel 5000P,Intel 5100,Intel 5400 (Xeon E5420).
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333+50% | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 32+100% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: VT-x (Core i3-2102) vs Yes (Xeon E5420). The Core i3-2102 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon E5420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-2102 targets Office Desktop.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | Yes |
| Target Use | Office Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i3-2102 launched at $117 MSRP, while the Xeon E5420 debuted at $7214. At current prices ($15 vs $6500), the Core i3-2102 is $6485 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-2102 delivers 135.3 pts/$ vs 0.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5420 — making the Core i3-2102 the 199.1% better value option.
| Feature | Core i3-2102 | Xeon E5420 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $117-98% | $7214 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $15-100% | $6500 |
| Performance per Dollar | 135.3+45000% | 0.3 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2007 |
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