Pentium B940 vs Xeon E5450

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 B940 vs Xeon E5450 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 B940 vs Xeon E5450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium B940

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5450 across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5450, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $134 MSRP, while Xeon E5450 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5450

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.4% higher average FPS across 36 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,581 vs 2,610).
❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium B940 better than Xeon E5450?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5450 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium B940 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 B940 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium B940 is the better buy right now. Pentium B940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $134 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5450 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.4% average FPS lead across 36 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 B940 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium B940 vs Xeon E5450 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium B940

The Pentium B940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 June 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,610 points. Launch price was $134.

Xeon E5450

The Xeon E5450 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 2,581 points. Launch price was $915.

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Processing Power

The Pentium B940 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5450 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5450 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Pentium B940 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5450 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E5450 (base: 2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Pentium B940 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5450 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium B940 scores 2,610 against the Xeon E5450's 2,581 — a 1.1% lead for the Pentium B940. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium B940 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5450.

Feature	Pentium B940	Xeon E5450
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+500%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,610+1%	2,581

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium B940 uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5450 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.