CPU
GPU
Pentium G3240
Xeon E5603
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Pentium G3240 is positioned at rank 757 and the Xeon E5603 is on rank 863, so the Pentium G3240 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Pentium G3240
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5603
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($126) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($188) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+49%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($126) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($188) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Pentium G3240 and Xeon E5603
Pentium G3240
The Pentium G3240 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency: 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,930 points. Launch price was $69.
Xeon E5603
The Xeon E5603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,935 points. Launch price was $286.
Processing Power
The Pentium G3240 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon E5603 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5603 has 2 more cores. The Xeon E5603 is built on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium G3240 scores 1,930 against the Xeon E5603's 1,935 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5603. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium G3240 vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5603.
| Feature | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | — | 1.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+94% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | — | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | — | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,930 | 1,935 |
Memory & Platform
The Pentium G3240 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5603 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 288 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 3 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 32 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Pentium G3240) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5603). Primary use case: Xeon E5603 targets Server.
| Feature | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Server |
Value Analysis
The Pentium G3240 launched at $89 MSRP, while the Xeon E5603 debuted at $188.
| Feature | Pentium G3240 | Xeon E5603 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $89-53% | $188 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $126 | — |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2011 |
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