
Core i7-870S vs Xeon L3426

Core i7-870S

Xeon L3426
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 L3426 is on rank 753, so the Xeon L3426 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 L3426
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-870S | Xeon L3426 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-870S | Xeon L3426 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 L3426

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 L3426
The Xeon L3426 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,742 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-870S and Xeon L3426 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon L3426 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 2.66 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Core i7-870S is built on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-870S scores 2,765 against the Xeon L3426's 2,742 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-870S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S vs 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3426.
| Feature | Core i7-870S | Xeon L3426 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz+12% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz+43% | 1.86 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Lynnfield (2009−2010) | — |
| PassMark | 2,765 | 2,742 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1156 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Core i7-870S | Xeon L3426 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
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