Core i5-6198DU vs Xeon W3540

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 i5-6198DU is positioned at rank 270 and the Xeon W3540 is on rank 843, so the Core i5-6198DU 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 i5-6198DU

#258

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

425%

#259

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

418%

#260

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

384%

#261

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

382%

#262

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

379%

#264

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

366%

#265

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

351%

#266

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

350%

#267

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

341%

#270

Core i5-6198DU

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#277

Core 2 Extreme X9100

MSRP: $851|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3540

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19190%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3623%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3219%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2487%

#476

EPYC 9745

MSRP: $12141|Avg: $10588

99%

#477

EPYC 7J13

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $150

99%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

99%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

99%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

98%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

98%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

97%

#483

EPYC 9634

MSRP: $10304|Avg: $3949

97%

#843

Xeon W3540

MSRP: $284|Avg: $10

100%

#844

Xeon E-2124G

MSRP: $667|Avg: $462

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

98%

#857

Xeon 5120

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

96%

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 i5-6198DU (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-6198DU	Xeon W3540
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon W3540 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-6198DU	Xeon W3540
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

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 i5-6198DU Benchmark Check

Xeon W3540 Benchmark Check

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Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6198DU and Xeon W3540

Core i5-6198DU

The Core i5-6198DU is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,109 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon W3540

The Xeon W3540 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 2.93 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: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,075 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-6198DU packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3540 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon W3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i5-6198DU versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W3540 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon W3540 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i5-6198DU uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3540 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6198DU scores 3,109 against the Xeon W3540's 3,075 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-6198DU. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-6198DU vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3540.

Feature	Core i5-6198DU	Xeon W3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.93 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,109+1%	3,075
Geekbench 6 Single	946	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6198DU uses the BGA socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6198DU	Xeon W3540
Socket	BGA	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6198DU) / not specified (Xeon W3540). The Core i5-6198DU includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 510), while the Xeon W3540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6198DU targets Entry Level Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6198DU rivals A9-9410.