Xeon E5420 vs Core 2 Duo SL9600
Xeon E5420
Core 2 Duo SL9600
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 Xeon E5420 is positioned at rank 1033 and the Core 2 Duo SL9600 is on rank 1177, so the Xeon E5420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5420
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) | ✅ More affordable ($316) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1967%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) | ✅ More affordable ($316) |
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 Xeon E5420 and Core 2 Duo SL9600
Xeon E5420
The Xeon E5420 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 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: 2,044 points. Launch price was $316.
Core 2 Duo SL9600
The Core 2 Duo SL9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.13 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,054 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5420 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 versus 2.13 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 — a 16% clock advantage for the Xeon E5420 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Xeon E5420 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5420 scores 2,044 against the Core 2 Duo SL9600's 2,054 — a 0.5% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9600. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9600.
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+17% | 2.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+17% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+100% | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,044 | 2,054 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 314 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 881 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5420 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-667 on the Xeon E5420 versus DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SL9600 — the Core 2 Duo SL9600 supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5420 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5420) vs 2 (Core 2 Duo SL9600). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E5420) vs 0 (Core 2 Duo SL9600) — the Xeon E5420 offers 32 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 5000P,Intel 5100,Intel 5400 (Xeon E5420) and GS45,GM45,PM45 (Core 2 Duo SL9600).
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR3-1066+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB+300% | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5420) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core 2 Duo SL9600). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9600 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5420 launched at $7214 MSRP, while the Core 2 Duo SL9600 debuted at $316.
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $7214 | $316-96% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $6500 | — |
| Release Date | 2007 | 2009 |
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