Core i3-540 vs Xeon 5150
Core i3-540
Xeon 5150
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 i3-540 is positioned at rank 970 and the Xeon 5150 is on rank 921, so the Xeon 5150 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-540
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 5150
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-540 | Xeon 5150 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Woodcrest (2006) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-540 | Xeon 5150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) | ✅ 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 i3-540 and Xeon 5150
Core i3-540
The Core i3-540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 0.07 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,554 points. Launch price was $45.
Xeon 5150
The Xeon 5150 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2006 (19 years ago). It is based on the Woodcrest (2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.67 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR2. Passmark benchmark score: 1,555 points. Launch price was $16.
Processing Power
The Core i3-540 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon 5150's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 0.07 GHz on the Core i3-540 versus 2.67 GHz on the Xeon 5150 — a 189.8% clock advantage for the Xeon 5150 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i3-540 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon 5150 uses Woodcrest (2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-540 scores 1,554 against the Xeon 5150's 1,555 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon 5150. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-540 vs 0 kB on the Xeon 5150.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | Xeon 5150 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.07 GHz | 2.67 GHz+3714% |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz+15% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 4 MB+1500% |
| Process | 32 nm-51% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Clarkdale (2010−2011) | Woodcrest (2006) |
| PassMark | 1,554 | 1,555 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-540 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon 5150 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-540 | Xeon 5150 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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