Turion X2 RM-74 vs Xeon E5502

AMD

Turion X2 RM-74

2 Cores2 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5502

2 Cores2 Thrd80 WWMax: 1.87 GHz2009
Similar parts
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Turion X2 RM-74 vs Xeon E5502 Performance Spectrum

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.

Turion X2 RM-74 vs Xeon E5502 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.

Turion X2 RM-74 vs Xeon E5502: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Turion X2 RM-74

2009

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 1W instead of 80W, a 79W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5502, which brings 2 cores / 2 threads and 32 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5502

2009

Why buy it

  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 2 cores / 2 threads, plus 32 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Turion X2 RM-74 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (1,725 vs 1,740).
  • Launch MSRP is still $188 MSRP, while Turion X2 RM-74 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 7900% higher power demand at 80W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Turion X2 RM-74 better than Xeon E5502?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5502 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Turion X2 RM-74 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Turion X2 RM-74 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% 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, Turion X2 RM-74 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Turion X2 RM-74 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5502 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Turion X2 RM-74 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $188 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5502 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Turion X2 RM-74 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Turion X2 RM-74 vs Xeon E5502 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Turion X2 RM-74

The Turion X2 RM-74 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Lion (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,740 points. Launch price was $69.

Intel

Xeon E5502

The Xeon E5502 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.87 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,725 points. Launch price was $95.

Processing Power

Both the Turion X2 RM-74 and Xeon E5502 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Turion X2 RM-74 versus 1.87 GHz on the Xeon E5502 — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Turion X2 RM-74. The Turion X2 RM-74 uses the Lion (2008−2009) architecture (65 nm), while the Xeon E5502 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Turion X2 RM-74 scores 1,740 against the Xeon E5502's 1,725 — a 0.9% lead for the Turion X2 RM-74. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Turion X2 RM-74 vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5502.

FeatureTurion X2 RM-74Xeon E5502
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
2 / 2
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz+18%
1.87 GHz
Base Clock
1.86 GHz
L3 Cache
0 kB
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
65 nm
45 nm-31%
Architecture
Lion (2008−2009)
Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark
1,740
1,725
Geekbench 6 Single
200
Geekbench 6 Multi
800
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Memory & Platform

The Turion X2 RM-74 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5502 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureTurion X2 RM-74Xeon E5502
Socket
S1
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-800
Max RAM Capacity
144 GB
RAM Channels
3
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
32
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Turion X2 RM-74) / true (Xeon E5502).

FeatureTurion X2 RM-74Xeon E5502
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true