Pentium D1508 vs Xeon X5560

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 D1508 vs Xeon X5560 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 D1508 vs Xeon X5560: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium D1508

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5560 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5560, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $106 MSRP, while Xeon X5560 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X5560

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,231 vs 3,240).
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium D1508 better than Xeon X5560?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5560 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium D1508 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 D1508 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium D1508 is the better buy right now. Pentium D1508 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $106 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5560 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (30.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 D1508 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 2 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.

Pentium D1508 vs Xeon X5560 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium D1508

The Pentium D1508 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,240 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon X5560

The Xeon X5560 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,231 points. Launch price was $44.

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Processing Power

The Pentium D1508 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5560 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5560 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Pentium D1508 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5560 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Xeon X5560 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Pentium D1508 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5560 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium D1508 scores 3,240 against the Xeon X5560's 3,231 — a 0.3% lead for the Pentium D1508. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Pentium D1508 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X5560.

Feature	Pentium D1508	Xeon X5560
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,240	3,231

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium D1508 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5560 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium D1508	Xeon X5560
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium D1508) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5560). Primary use case: Xeon X5560 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5560 rivals Core i3-2100.