Core i3-5010U vs Xeon L5420

Core i3-5010U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2015

Xeon L5420

4 Cores4 Thrd50 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2008

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-5010U

2 / 4

2,157

+0.7%

2,143

0.0%

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 i3-5010U is positioned at rank 521 and the Xeon L5420 is on rank 847, so the Core i3-5010U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5010U

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

98%

#509

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

680%

#510

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

670%

#511

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

615%

#512

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

612%

#513

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

607%

#515

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

586%

#516

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

562%

#517

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

561%

#518

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

546%

#521

Core i3-5010U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon L5420

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19386%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3660%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3252%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2512%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

100%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

100%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

99%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

99%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

98%

#483

EPYC 9634

MSRP: $10304|Avg: $3949

98%

#484

EPYC 7773X

MSRP: $8800|Avg: $8800

97%

#847

Xeon L5420

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

99%

#857

Xeon 5120

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

97%

#859

Xeon W3530

MSRP: $294|Avg: $10

97%

#861

Xeon W3520

MSRP: $284|Avg: $15

97%

#862

Xeon E3-1271 v3

MSRP: $727|Avg: $831

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-5010U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i3-5010U	Xeon L5420
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon L5420 (2008) relies on 45 nm technology and **DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i3-5010U	Xeon L5420
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i3-5010U Benchmark Check

Xeon L5420 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-5010U and Xeon L5420

Core i3-5010U

The Core i3-5010U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,157 points. Launch price was $281.

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 i3-5010U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon L5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Core i3-5010U versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon L5420 — a 17.4% clock advantage for the Xeon L5420 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i3-5010U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon L5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-5010U scores 2,157 against the Xeon L5420's 2,143 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i3-5010U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5010U vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon L5420.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Xeon L5420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,157	2,143
Geekbench 6 Single	737	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-5010U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-5010U	Xeon L5420
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-5010U) / not specified (Xeon L5420). The Core i3-5010U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 5500), while the Xeon L5420 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-5010U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-5010U rivals A10-8700P.