Core i5-3470 vs Xeon L5640

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 i5-3470 vs Xeon L5640 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 i5-3470 vs Xeon L5640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $812 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).
✅Delivers 441.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.3 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $996 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5640 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5640, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌28.3% higher power demand at 77W vs 60W.

Xeon L5640

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Draws 60W instead of 77W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,659 vs 4,663).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($996 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3470 better than Xeon L5640?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5640 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-3470 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3470 is the better buy right now. Core i5-3470 comes in $812 cheaper on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $996 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon L5640 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 441.8% better value on MSRP (25.3 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-3470 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3470 vs Xeon L5640 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

Xeon L5640

The Xeon L5640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,659 points. Launch price was $200.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon L5640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon L5640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon L5640 — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon L5640 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Xeon L5640's 4,659 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3470. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon L5640.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Xeon L5640
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+42%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,663	4,659

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5640 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Xeon L5640
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	288 GB
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3470) / true (Xeon L5640). Primary use case: Xeon L5640 targets Server Low Power.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Xeon L5640
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	true
Target Use	—	Server Low Power

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470 was priced at $184, while the Xeon L5640 came in at $996. On launch pricing ($184 vs $996), Core i5-3470 was $812 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470 delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon L5640 — making the Core i5-3470 the 137.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Xeon L5640
MSRP	$184-82%	$996
Performance per Dollar	25.3+438%	4.7
Release Date	2012	2010

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