Xeon E5-2450L vs Microsoft SQ1

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 Xeon E5-2450L is positioned at rank 980 and the Microsoft SQ1 is on rank 877, so the Microsoft SQ1 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2450L

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

37993%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

7173%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

6373%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

4924%

#980

Xeon E5-2450L

MSRP: $1106|Avg: $78

100%

#981

Xeon X3480

MSRP: $612|Avg: $48

99%

#982

Xeon E5-2687W

MSRP: $1885|Avg: $70

97%

#983

Xeon E5-4610

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $50

97%

#985

Xeon X7550

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $1400

96%

#986

Xeon E7540

MSRP: $1980|Avg: $146

96%

#987

Xeon E7530

MSRP: $1391|Avg: $146

95%

#988

Xeon E5-4627 v4

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $200

95%

#989

Xeon E5-4627 v3

MSRP: $2225|Avg: $200

93%

#990

Xeon X5660

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $10

90%

#991

Xeon E5-2667

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $31

88%

#992

Xeon E5-2690

MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150

87%

#993

Xeon E3-1565L v5

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $120

86%

#994

Xeon L5640

MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A

86%

#995

Xeon L5335

MSRP: $380|Avg: $18

84%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1

#865

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1458%

#866

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1436%

#867

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1318%

#868

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1312%

#869

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1300%

#871

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1256%

#872

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1204%

#873

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1202%

#874

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1170%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

100%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

97%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

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 Microsoft SQ1 (2019) utilizes 7 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2450L	Microsoft SQ1
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($78)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) / 32 nm)	✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2450L (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2450L	Microsoft SQ1
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+131%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($78)	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)

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.

Xeon E5-2450L Benchmark Check

Microsoft SQ1 Benchmark Check

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Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2450L and Microsoft SQ1

Xeon E5-2450L

The Xeon E5-2450L 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 70 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,047 points. Launch price was $72.

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2450L packs 8 cores / 16 threads, matching the Microsoft SQ1's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2450L versus 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 — a 26.4% clock advantage for the Microsoft SQ1. The Xeon E5-2450L uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Microsoft SQ1 uses Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2450L scores 6,047 against the Microsoft SQ1's 6,039 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2450L. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2450L vs 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1.

Feature	Xeon E5-2450L	Microsoft SQ1
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 8
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	—
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)+900%	2 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	32 nm	7 nm-78%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)	Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)
PassMark	6,047	6,039

💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-2450L launched at $1106 MSRP, while the Microsoft SQ1 debuted at $300. At current prices ($78 vs $180), the Xeon E5-2450L is $102 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2450L delivers 77.5 pts/$ vs 33.5 pts/$ for the Microsoft SQ1 — making the Xeon E5-2450L the 79.2% better value option.