
Core i7-3517UE vs Xeon X5450

Core i7-3517UE

Xeon X5450
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 i7-3517UE is positioned at rank 1154 and the Xeon X5450 is on rank 807, so the Xeon X5450 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3517UE
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5450
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3517UE | Xeon X5450 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3517UE | Xeon X5450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($35) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-3517UE and Xeon X5450

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 X5450
The Xeon X5450 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): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,416 points. Launch price was $851.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3517UE packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon X5450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-3517UE versus 3 GHz on the Xeon X5450 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Xeon X5450 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-3517UE uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5450 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3517UE scores 2,384 against the Xeon X5450's 2,416 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon X5450. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-3517UE vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X5450.
| Feature | Core i7-3517UE | Xeon X5450 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3 GHz+7% |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 3 GHz+76% |
| 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 | 2,416+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3517UE uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5450 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-3517UE | Xeon X5450 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | LGA771 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
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