Pentium Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5-2403

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 Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5-2403 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 Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5-2403: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold 5405U

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 80W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,357 vs 2,367).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2403, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5-2403

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 5405U better than Xeon E5-2403?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2403 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold 5405U 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, Xeon E5-2403 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Pentium Gold 5405U still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold 5405U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold 5405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5-2403 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Gold 5405U

The Pentium Gold 5405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,357 points. Launch price was $161.

Xeon E5-2403

The Xeon E5-2403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $230.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 5405U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2403 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2403 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 5405U versus 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2403 — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 5405U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Pentium Gold 5405U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 5405U scores 2,357 against the Xeon E5-2403's 2,367 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2403. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold 5405U vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2403.

Feature	Pentium Gold 5405U	Xeon E5-2403
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+28%	1.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+28%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+400%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	2,357	2,367

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold 5405U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2403 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.