FX-8800P vs Xeon E5540

FX-8800P vs Xeon E5540 Performance Spectrum

FX-8800P

4 / 4

2,833

+1.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Xeon E5540

4 / 8

2,805

0.0%

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.

FX-8800P 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.

FX-8800P 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.

FX-8800P

2015

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5540 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5540, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Xeon E5540 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5540

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,805 vs 2,833).
❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8800P 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 FX-8800P 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, FX-8800P is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-8800P is the better buy right now. FX-8800P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5540 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-8800P 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 4 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.

FX-8800P vs Xeon E5540 Technical Specifications

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

FX-8800P

The FX-8800P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L2 cache: 2048 kB. Built on 28 nm process technology. Socket: FP4. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 2,833 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.

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Processing Power

The FX-8800P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E5540's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the FX-8800P versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5540 — a 19.4% clock advantage for the FX-8800P (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The FX-8800P uses the Carrizo (2015−2018) architecture (28 nm), while the Xeon E5540 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the FX-8800P scores 2,833 against the Xeon E5540's 2,805 — a 1% lead for the FX-8800P.

Feature	FX-8800P	Xeon E5540
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+21%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.53 GHz+20%
L3 Cache	—	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2048 kB+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	28 nm-38%	45 nm
Architecture	Carrizo (2015−2018)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,833	2,805