CPU
GPU
Core i5-7500
Xeon E5-2420 v2
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i5-7500 is positioned at rank 573 and the Xeon E5-2420 v2 is on rank 454, so the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7500
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2420 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($112) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+73%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($65) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($112) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7500 and Xeon E5-2420 v2
Core i5-7500
The Core i5-7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.
Xeon E5-2420 v2
The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.
Processing Power
The Core i5-7500 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 versus 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — a 33.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-7500 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-7500 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7500 scores 6,362 against the Xeon E5-2420 v2's 6,349 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-7500. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2.
| Feature | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+41% | 2.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+55% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 15 MB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 6,362 | 6,349 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-7500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-7500) / not specified (Xeon E5-2420 v2). The Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2420 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($65 vs $112), the Core i5-7500 is $47 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7500 delivers 97.9 pts/$ vs 56.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2420 v2 — making the Core i5-7500 the 53.3% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-7500 | Xeon E5-2420 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $199 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $65-42% | $112 |
| Performance per Dollar | 97.9+73% | 56.7 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2013 |
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