Pentium G2030 vs Xeon E5405

Intel

Pentium G2030

2 Cores2 Thrd55 WW2013
VS
Intel

Xeon E5405

4 Cores4 Thrd80 WWMax: 2 GHz2007

Pentium G2030 vs Xeon E5405 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 G2030 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 G2030 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 G2030

2013

Why buy it

  • Costs $124 less on MSRP ($85 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
  • Delivers 148.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.8 vs 8.4 PassMark/$ ($85 MSRP vs $209 MSRP).
  • Draws 55W instead of 80W, a 25W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1), while Xeon E5405 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 12 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5405, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5405

2007

Why buy it

  • +300% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 3 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,753 vs 1,769).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.4 vs 20.8 PassMark/$ ($209 MSRP vs $85 MSRP).
  • 45.5% higher power demand at 80W vs 55W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Pentium G2030 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Pentium G2030.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G2030 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 G2030 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Pentium G2030 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 43 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G2030 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Pentium G2030 is the better buy right now. Pentium G2030 comes in $124 cheaper on MSRP at $85 MSRP versus $209 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 148.1% better value on MSRP (20.8 vs 8.4 PassMark/$), 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 G2030 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 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 G2030 vs Xeon E5405 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium G2030

The Pentium G2030 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 1,769 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Pentium G2030 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5405 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5405 has 2 more cores. The Xeon E5405 is built on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G2030 scores 1,769 against the Xeon E5405's 1,753 — a 0.9% lead for the Pentium G2030. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G2030 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5405.

FeaturePentium G2030Xeon E5405
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
2 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+50%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
12 MB L2 Cache+300%
L2 Cache
6 MB (total)
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark
1,769
1,753
Cinebench R23 Multi
608
Geekbench 6 Single
492
Geekbench 6 Multi
826
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G2030 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5405 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Pentium G2030 versus DDR2-667 on the Xeon E5405 — the Pentium G2030 supports 139.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Pentium G2030) vs 0 (Xeon E5405) — the Pentium G2030 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeaturePentium G2030Xeon E5405
Socket
LGA1155
LGA771
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600+140%
DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
0
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x virtualization. The Pentium G2030 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)), while the Xeon E5405 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium G2030 targets Budget, Xeon E5405 targets Server. Direct competitor: Pentium G2030 rivals Core i3-2100.

FeaturePentium G2030Xeon E5405
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge GT1)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x
VT-x
Target Use
Budget
Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G2030 was priced at $85, while the Xeon E5405 came in at $209. On launch pricing ($85 vs $209), Pentium G2030 was $124 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G2030 delivers 20.8 pts/$ vs 8.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5405 — making the Pentium G2030 the 85.1% better value option.

FeaturePentium G2030Xeon E5405
MSRP
$85-59%
$209
Performance per Dollar
20.8+148%
8.4
Release Date
2013
2007

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