
Core i3-7020U vs Xeon X5460

Core i3-7020U

Xeon X5460
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 i3-7020U is positioned at rank 70 and the Xeon X5460 is on rank 778, so the Core i3-7020U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-7020U
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5460
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-7020U | Xeon X5460 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-7020U | Xeon X5460 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i3-7020U and Xeon X5460

Core i3-7020U
The Core i3-7020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,567 points. Launch price was $281.

Xeon X5460
The Xeon X5460 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 3.16 GHz, with boost up to 0.17 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,582 points. Launch price was $1,172.
Processing Power
The Core i3-7020U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5460 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon X5460 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Core i3-7020U versus 0.17 GHz on the Xeon X5460 — a 172.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-7020U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.16 GHz). The Core i3-7020U uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5460 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-7020U scores 2,567 against the Xeon X5460's 2,582 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon X5460. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i3-7020U vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X5460.
| Feature | Core i3-7020U | Xeon X5460 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.3 GHz+1253% | 0.17 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | 3.16 GHz+37% |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB | 12 MB L2 Cache+300% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 6 MB (total)+1100% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Harpertown (2007−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,567 | 2,582 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-7020U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5460 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-7020U | Xeon X5460 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
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