Core i5-4200M vs Xeon E5540

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 i5-4200M vs Xeon E5540 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 i5-4200M vs Xeon E5540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4200M

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Xeon E5540 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5540 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5540, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Xeon E5540 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌540% higher power demand at 512W vs 80W.

Xeon E5540

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.
✅Draws 80W instead of 512W, a 432W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,805 vs 2,809).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-4200M better than Xeon E5540?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5540 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4200M 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 i5-4200M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-4200M is the better buy right now. Core i5-4200M comes in at an unclear MSRP at $225 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5540 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4200M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4200M vs Xeon E5540 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4200M

The Core i5-4200M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,809 points. Launch price was $225.

Xeon E5540

The Xeon E5540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,805 points. Launch price was $30.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4200M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5540 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4200M versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5540 — a 10.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-4200M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i5-4200M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5540 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4200M scores 2,809 against the Xeon E5540's 2,805 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-4200M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4200M vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5540.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Xeon E5540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+11%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.53 GHz+1%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,809	2,805

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Xeon E5540
Socket	PGA946	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4200M) / not specified (Xeon E5540). The Core i5-4200M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Xeon E5540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200M targets Mobile.