Core i5-4308U vs Xeon W3520

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 i5-4308U vs Xeon W3520 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 i5-4308U vs Xeon W3520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4308U

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Graphics 5100, while Xeon W3520 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3520 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3520, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌293.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 130W.

Xeon W3520

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% 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 130W instead of 512W, a 382W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,940 vs 2,978).
❌Launch MSRP is still $284 MSRP, while Core i5-4308U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4308U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W3520 better than Core i5-4308U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3520 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-4308U 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 i5-4308U is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon W3520 is the better buy right now. Xeon W3520 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $284 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4308U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4308U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 i5-4308U vs Xeon W3520 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4308U

The Core i5-4308U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,978 points. Launch price was $315.

Xeon W3520

The Xeon W3520 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,940 points. Launch price was $404.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4308U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3520 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon W3520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-4308U versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon W3520 — a 11.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-4308U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-4308U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W3520 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4308U scores 2,978 against the Xeon W3520's 2,940 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i5-4308U. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4308U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3520.

Feature	Core i5-4308U	Xeon W3520
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+13%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+5%	2.66 GHz
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)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,978+1%	2,940

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4308U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4308U	Xeon W3520
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4308U) / not specified (Xeon W3520). The Core i5-4308U includes integrated graphics (Iris Graphics 5100), while the Xeon W3520 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4308U targets Mobile.