Core i7-3517UE vs Xeon E5440

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 i7-3517UE vs Xeon E5440 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 i7-3517UE vs Xeon E5440: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3517UE

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $360 less on MSRP ($330 MSRP vs $690 MSRP).
✅Delivers 110.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.2 vs 3.4 PassMark/$ ($330 MSRP vs $690 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 80W, a 63W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5440 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5440, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5440

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,367 vs 2,384).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.4 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($690 MSRP vs $330 MSRP).
❌370.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 17W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3517UE better than Xeon E5440?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5440 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3517UE 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 i7-3517UE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-3517UE is the better buy right now. Core i7-3517UE comes in $360 cheaper on MSRP at $330 MSRP versus $690 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5440 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 110.6% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 3.4 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3517UE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 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 i7-3517UE vs Xeon E5440 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3517UE

The Core i7-3517UE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 2,384 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5440

The Xeon E5440 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 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 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: 2,367 points. Launch price was $690.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3517UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5440 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE versus 0.83 GHz on the Xeon E5440 — a 108.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-3517UE (base: 1.7 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Core i7-3517UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5440 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517UE scores 2,384 against the Xeon E5440's 2,367 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-3517UE. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5440.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Xeon E5440
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+237%	0.83 GHz
Base Clock	1.7 GHz	2.83 GHz+66%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+200%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,384	2,367

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3517UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5440 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Xeon E5440
Socket	BGA1023	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3517UE was priced at $330, while the Xeon E5440 came in at $690. On launch pricing ($330 vs $690), Core i7-3517UE was $360 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3517UE delivers 7.2 pts/$ vs 3.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5440 — making the Core i7-3517UE the 71.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3517UE	Xeon E5440
MSRP	$330-52%	$690
Performance per Dollar	7.2+112%	3.4
Release Date	2012	2007

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