Core i5-5257U vs Xeon X3450

Core i5-5257U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2015

Xeon X3450

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-5257U

2 / 4

2,837

0.0%

2,877

+1.4%

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 i5-5257U is positioned at rank 725 and the Xeon X3450 is on rank 813, so the Core i5-5257U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-5257U

#713

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1034%

#714

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1019%

#715

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

935%

#716

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

931%

#717

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

923%

#719

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

891%

#720

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

854%

#721

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

853%

#722

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

830%

#725

Core i5-5257U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon X3450

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

17406%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3286%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2920%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2256%

#464

Xeon W-3375

MSRP: $4951|Avg: $6000

100%

#466

Xeon Platinum 8358

MSRP: $4607|Avg: $3145

99%

#467

EPYC 7662

MSRP: $6150|Avg: $1266

98%

#467

EPYC 7713

MSRP: $7060|Avg: $1299

98%

#469

EPYC 9554

MSRP: $9087|Avg: $2795

96%

#813

Xeon X3450

MSRP: $241|Avg: $39

100%

#816

Xeon W3680

MSRP: $594|Avg: $26

99%

#818

Xeon E5-2640 v3

MSRP: $939|Avg: $189

99%

#823

Xeon E5-1660 v3

MSRP: $1080|Avg: $198

98%

#826

Xeon W3565

MSRP: $294|Avg: $69

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-5257U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-5257U	Xeon X3450
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($39)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon X3450 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-5257U	Xeon X3450
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($39)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i5-5257U Benchmark Check

Xeon X3450 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-5257U and Xeon X3450

Core i5-5257U

The Core i5-5257U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,837 points. Launch price was $315.

Xeon X3450

The Xeon X3450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,877 points. Launch price was $241.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-5257U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X3450 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X3450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-5257U versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X3450 — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Xeon X3450 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-5257U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X3450 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5257U scores 2,837 against the Xeon X3450's 2,877 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon X3450. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5257U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X3450.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Xeon X3450
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+2%	2.66 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Lynnfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,837	2,877+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	950	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,900	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5257U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X3450 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5257U	Xeon X3450
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3 1866 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-5257U) / not specified (Xeon X3450). The Core i5-5257U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 6100), while the Xeon X3450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5257U targets Mobile.