Pentium Gold G6405T vs Xeon W3540

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3540

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19190%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3623%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3219%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2487%

#476

EPYC 9745

MSRP: $12141|Avg: $10588

99%

#477

EPYC 7J13

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $150

99%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

99%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

99%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

98%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

98%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

97%

#483

EPYC 9634

MSRP: $10304|Avg: $3949

97%

#843

Xeon W3540

MSRP: $284|Avg: $10

100%

#844

Xeon E-2124G

MSRP: $667|Avg: $462

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

98%

#857

Xeon 5120

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold G6405T (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Gold G6405T	Xeon W3540
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Comet Lake-R (2021) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon W3540 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Gold G6405T	Xeon W3540
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($10)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium Gold G6405T Benchmark Check

Xeon W3540 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold G6405T and Xeon W3540

Pentium Gold G6405T

The Pentium Gold G6405T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 3,095 points. Launch price was $64.

Xeon W3540

The Xeon W3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,075 points. Launch price was $699.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Gold G6405T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3540 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon W3540 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6405T versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W3540 — a 9% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6405T (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Pentium Gold G6405T uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3540 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G6405T scores 3,095 against the Xeon W3540's 3,075 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium Gold G6405T. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6405T vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3540.

Feature	Pentium Gold G6405T	Xeon W3540
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+19%	2.93 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,095	3,075

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G6405T uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3540 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.