CPU
GPU
Sempron 3500+
Xeon 2.66
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 Sempron 3500+ is positioned at rank 894 and the Xeon 2.66 is on rank 1028, so the Sempron 3500+ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Sempron 3500+
Performance Per Dollar Xeon 2.66
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Sempron 3500+ | Xeon 2.66 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Palermo (2001−2005) / 90 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Prestonia (2002) / 130 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Sempron 3500+ | Xeon 2.66 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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 Sempron 3500+ and Xeon 2.66
Sempron 3500+
The Sempron 3500+ is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2005 (20 years ago). It is based on the Palermo (2001−2005) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 256 kB. Built on 90 nm process technology. Socket: 939. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR1. Passmark benchmark score: 465 points. Launch price was $167.
Xeon 2.66
The Xeon 2.66 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Prestonia (2002) architecture. It features 1 cores and 1 threads. Max frequency: 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 130 nm process technology. Socket: PGA604. Thermal design power (TDP): 89 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 445 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Sempron 3500+ and Xeon 2.66 share an identical 1-core/1-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Sempron 3500+ versus 2.66 GHz on the Xeon 2.66 — a 28.3% clock advantage for the Xeon 2.66. The Sempron 3500+ uses the Palermo (2001−2005) architecture (90 nm), while the Xeon 2.66 uses Prestonia (2002) (130 nm). In PassMark, the Sempron 3500+ scores 465 against the Xeon 2.66's 445 — a 4.4% lead for the Sempron 3500+. Both processors carry 0 kB of L3 cache.
| Feature | Sempron 3500+ | Xeon 2.66 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 1 / 1 | 1 / 1 |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.66 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 0 kB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 90 nm-31% | 130 nm |
| Architecture | Palermo (2001−2005) | Prestonia (2002) |
| PassMark | 465+4% | 445 |
Memory & Platform
The Sempron 3500+ uses the 939 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon 2.66 uses PGA604 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Sempron 3500+ | Xeon 2.66 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | 939 | PGA604 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
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