Pentium Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5440

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 E5440 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 E5440: 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

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5440 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,357 vs 2,367).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5440, which brings 4 cores / 4 threads.

Xeon E5440

2007

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 4 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $690 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 5405U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌433.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5440 better than Pentium Gold 5405U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5440 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5440 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5440 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 500% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 2 MB).

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

Xeon E5440 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5440 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $690 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 5405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold 5405U vs Xeon E5440 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 E5440

The Xeon E5440 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 2.83 GHz, with boost up to 0.83 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: 2,367 points. Launch price was $690.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 5405U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5440 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5440 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 5405U versus 0.83 GHz on the Xeon E5440 — a 93.9% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 5405U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.83 GHz). The Pentium Gold 5405U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5440 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 5405U scores 2,357 against the Xeon E5440's 2,367 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5440. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold 5405U vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5440.

Feature	Pentium Gold 5405U	Xeon E5440
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz+177%	0.83 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.83 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	12 MB L2 Cache+500%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
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 E5440 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.