Pentium Dual Core T2390 vs Xeon E5405

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 Dual Core T2390 vs Xeon E5405 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 Dual Core T2390 vs Xeon E5405: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2008

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $123 less on MSRP ($86 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Delivers 145.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.6 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($86 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
✅Draws 1W instead of 80W, a 79W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5405, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5405

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,753 vs 1,771).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 20.6 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $86 MSRP).
❌7900% higher power demand at 80W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Dual Core T2390 better than Xeon E5405?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5405 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Dual Core T2390 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 Dual Core T2390 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390 is the better buy right now. Pentium Dual Core T2390 comes in $123 cheaper on MSRP at $86 MSRP versus $209 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5405 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.5% average FPS lead across 23 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 145.5% better value on MSRP (20.6 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), 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 Dual Core T2390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2008 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 Dual Core T2390 vs Xeon E5405 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Dual Core T2390

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 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 2 threads. Max frequency: 1.86 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,771 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5405

The Xeon E5405 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 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,753 points. Launch price was $209.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5405 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5405 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.86 GHz on the Pentium Dual Core T2390 versus 2 GHz on the Xeon E5405 — a 7.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E5405. The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture (65 nm), while the Xeon E5405 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 scores 1,771 against the Xeon E5405's 1,753 — a 1% lead for the Pentium Dual Core T2390.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Xeon E5405
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	1.86 GHz	2 GHz+8%
Base Clock	—	2 GHz
L3 Cache	—	12 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	1 MB	6 MB (total)+500%
Process	65 nm	45 nm-31%
Architecture	NetBurst (2000−2006)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	1,771+1%	1,753

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Dual Core T2390 uses the PGA478 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon E5405 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Xeon E5405
Socket	PGA478	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	0

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Dual Core T2390) / VT-x (Xeon E5405). Primary use case: Xeon E5405 targets Server.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Xeon E5405
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Dual Core T2390 was priced at $86, while the Xeon E5405 came in at $209. On launch pricing ($86 vs $209), Pentium Dual Core T2390 was $123 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Dual Core T2390 delivers 20.6 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5405 — making the Pentium Dual Core T2390 the 84.2% better value option.

Feature	Pentium Dual Core T2390	Xeon E5405
MSRP	$86-59%	$209
Performance per Dollar	20.6+145%	8.4
Release Date	2008	2007

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