Core i7-870S vs Xeon E5540
Core i7-870S
Xeon E5540
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 i7-870S is positioned at rank 1008 and the Xeon E5540 is on rank 745, so the Xeon E5540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870S
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5540
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-870S | Xeon E5540 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-870S | Xeon E5540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ 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 i7-870S and Xeon E5540
Core i7-870S
The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-870S and Xeon E5540 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5540 — a 25% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-870S uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E5540 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Xeon E5540's 2,805 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5540. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-870S | Xeon E5540 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+29% | 2.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+5% | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 2,765 | 2,805+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-870S uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-870S | Xeon E5540 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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