Pentium 1403 v2 vs Xeon L5520

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.

Pentium 1403 v2 vs Xeon L5520 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.

Pentium 1403 v2 vs Xeon L5520: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium 1403 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon L5520 across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon L5520, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $150 MSRP, while Xeon L5520 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌33.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 60W.

Xeon L5520

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.
✅Draws 60W instead of 80W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,274 vs 2,284).

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 1403 v2 better than Xeon L5520?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L5520 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium 1403 v2 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, Pentium 1403 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 1403 v2 is the better buy right now. Pentium 1403 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $150 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon L5520 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 1403 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium 1403 v2 vs Xeon L5520 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium 1403 v2

The Pentium 1403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,284 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon L5520

The Xeon L5520 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 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.48 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,274 points. Launch price was $100.

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Processing Power

The Pentium 1403 v2 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon L5520 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon L5520 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 1403 v2 versus 2.48 GHz on the Xeon L5520 — a 4.7% clock advantage for the Pentium 1403 v2 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Pentium 1403 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon L5520 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium 1403 v2 scores 2,284 against the Xeon L5520's 2,274 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium 1403 v2. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Pentium 1403 v2 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon L5520.

Feature	Pentium 1403 v2	Xeon L5520
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+5%	2.48 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+15%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,284	2,274

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium 1403 v2 uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon L5520 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.