Core i7-5500U vs Xeon E5540

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 i7-5500U vs Xeon E5540 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 i7-5500U vs Xeon E5540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5500U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 5500, while Xeon E5540 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5540 across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5540, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌540% higher power demand at 512W vs 80W.

Xeon E5540

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 41 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.
✅Draws 80W instead of 512W, a 432W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,805 vs 2,807).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-5500U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5500U better than Xeon E5540?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5540 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-5500U 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 i7-5500U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-5500U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-5500U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-5500U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-5500U vs Xeon E5540 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-5500U

The Core i7-5500U 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 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: 2,807 points. Launch price was $393.

Xeon E5540

The Xeon E5540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,805 points. Launch price was $30.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-5500U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5540 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Core i7-5500U versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5540 — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-5500U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-5500U uses the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5540 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5500U scores 2,807 against the Xeon E5540's 2,805 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-5500U. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5500U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5540.

Feature	Core i7-5500U	Xeon E5540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3 GHz+7%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.53 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-U (2015)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,807	2,805
Geekbench 6 Single	956	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,933	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5500U uses the FCBGA1168 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-5500U	Xeon E5540
Socket	FCBGA1168	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600 / LPDDR3-1600	—
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 / EPT (Core i7-5500U) / not specified (Xeon E5540). The Core i7-5500U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Xeon E5540 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5500U targets Ultrabook.