Core i5-5350U vs Xeon E5450

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 i5-5350U vs Xeon E5450 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 i5-5350U vs Xeon E5450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-5350U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 6000, while Xeon E5450 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5450, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $315 MSRP, while Xeon E5450 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌540% higher power demand at 512W vs 80W.

Xeon E5450

2007

Why buy it

✅+300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.
✅Draws 80W instead of 512W, a 432W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,581 vs 2,589).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-5350U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-5350U better than Xeon E5450?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5450 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-5350U 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 i5-5350U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-5350U is the better buy right now. Core i5-5350U comes in at an unclear MSRP at $315 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5450 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 41 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-5350U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-5350U vs Xeon E5450 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-5350U

The Core i5-5350U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,589 points. Launch price was $315.

Xeon E5450

The Xeon E5450 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 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,581 points. Launch price was $915.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-5350U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-5350U versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5450 — a 3.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5450 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-5350U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5450 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-5350U scores 2,589 against the Xeon E5450's 2,581 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-5350U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-5350U vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5450.

Feature	Core i5-5350U	Xeon E5450
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3 GHz+3%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3 GHz+67%
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+300%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB (total)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,589	2,581

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-5350U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5450 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-5350U	Xeon E5450
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR3-1866	—
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 i5-5350U) / not specified (Xeon E5450). The Core i5-5350U includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 6000), while the Xeon E5450 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-5350U targets Mobile.