Core M-5Y51 vs Xeon E5420

Core M-5Y51

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2014

Xeon E5420

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2007

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core M-5Y51

2 / 4

2,030

0.0%

2,044

+0.7%

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 M-5Y51 is positioned at rank 1154 and the Xeon E5420 is on rank 1033, so the Xeon E5420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core M-5Y51

#1141

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4064%

#1142

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4004%

#1143

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3676%

#1144

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3659%

#1145

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3626%

#1147

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3501%

#1148

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3357%

#1149

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3352%

#1150

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3262%

#1153

Core i7-3517UE

MSRP: $330|Avg: $35

100%

#1154

Core M-5Y51

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

100%

#1155

Pentium N3530

MSRP: $161|Avg: $20

100%

#1156

Core i3-330E

MSRP: $177|Avg: $89

99%

#1158

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

98%

#1159

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1161

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

97%

#1163

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

95%

#1164

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

94%

#1165

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1166

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

#1167

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5420

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

742225%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

140139%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

124507%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

96186%

#1033

Xeon E5420

MSRP: $7214|Avg: $6500

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core M-5Y51 (2014) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core M-5Y51	Xeon E5420
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($281)	⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-Y (2014) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5420 (2007) relies on 45 nm technology and **DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard**, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core M-5Y51	Xeon E5420
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+2197%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($281)	⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core M-5Y51 Benchmark Check

Xeon E5420 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core M-5Y51 and Xeon E5420

Core M-5Y51

The Core M-5Y51 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,030 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5420

The Xeon E5420 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,044 points. Launch price was $316.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core M-5Y51 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y51 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 — a 3.9% clock advantage for the Core M-5Y51 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core M-5Y51 uses the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core M-5Y51 scores 2,030 against the Xeon E5420's 2,044 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5420. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y51 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420.

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Xeon E5420
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.5 GHz+127%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+200%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-Y (2014)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,030	2,044
Geekbench 6 Single	—	314
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	881

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core M-5Y51 uses the FCBGA1234 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Xeon E5420
Socket	FCBGA1234	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	✅
PCIe Lanes	—	32

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core M-5Y51) / Yes (Xeon E5420).

Feature	Core M-5Y51	Xeon E5420
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

💰

Value Analysis

The Core M-5Y51 launched at $281 MSRP, while the Xeon E5420 debuted at $7214. At current prices ($281 vs $6500), the Core M-5Y51 is $6219 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core M-5Y51 delivers 7.2 pts/$ vs 0.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5420 — making the Core M-5Y51 the 183.3% better value option.