Pentium Extreme Edition 955 vs Xeon L3406

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 Extreme Edition 955 vs Xeon L3406 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 Extreme Edition 955 vs Xeon L3406: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

2005

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,095 vs 1,104).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 1.1 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
❌333.3% higher power demand at 130W vs 30W.

Xeon L3406

2010

Why buy it

✅Costs $810 less on MSRP ($189 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 432.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.8 vs 1.1 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 30W instead of 130W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon L3406 better than Pentium Extreme Edition 955?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon L3406 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon L3406 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.7% more average FPS across 49 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon L3406 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon L3406 is the better buy right now. Xeon L3406 comes in $810 cheaper on MSRP at $189 MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 432.9% better value on MSRP (5.8 vs 1.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon L3406 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2005) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Pentium Extreme Edition 955 vs Xeon L3406 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Extreme Edition 955

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2005 (19 years ago). It is based on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.466 GHz, with boost up to 0.47 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,095 points. Launch price was $999.

Xeon L3406

The Xeon L3406 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 30 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,104 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 and Xeon L3406 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.47 GHz on the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 versus 2.53 GHz on the Xeon L3406 — a 137.3% clock advantage for the Xeon L3406 (base: 3.466 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 is built on the Presler (2005−2007) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 scores 1,095 against the Xeon L3406's 1,104 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon L3406.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Xeon L3406
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.47 GHz	2.53 GHz+438%
Base Clock	3.466 GHz+53%	2.26 GHz
L3 Cache	—	4 MB Intel® Smart Cache
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	—
Process	65 nm	32 nm-51%
Architecture	Presler (2005−2007)	—
PassMark	1,095	1,104

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Extreme Edition 955 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Xeon L3406 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Xeon L3406
Socket	LGA775	LGA1156
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 was priced at $999, while the Xeon L3406 came in at $189. On launch pricing ($999 vs $189), Xeon L3406 was $810 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium Extreme Edition 955 delivers 1.1 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Xeon L3406 — making the Xeon L3406 the 136.8% better value option.

Feature	Pentium Extreme Edition 955	Xeon L3406
MSRP	$999	$189-81%
Performance per Dollar	1.1	5.8+427%
Release Date	2005	2010

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