CPU
GPU
Xeon E5420
Core 2 Duo T7300
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 T7300 is on rank 283, so the Core 2 Duo T7300 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 T7300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo T7300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo T7300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($6,500) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 T7300
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 T7300
The Core 2 Duo T7300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 May 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,040 points. Launch price was $234.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5420 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T7300 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon E5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 versus 2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T7300 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5420 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5420 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T7300 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5420 scores 2,044 against the Core 2 Duo T7300's 2,040 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5420. Multi-core Geekbench: 881 vs 3,499 (119.5% advantage for the Core 2 Duo T7300). L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Duo T7300.
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo T7300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+25% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+25% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+50% | 4 MB |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,044 | 2,040 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 314 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 881 | 3,499+297% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5420 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T7300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR2-667 memory speed. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5420) vs 2 (Core 2 Duo T7300). Chipset compatibility: Intel 5000P,Intel 5100,Intel 5400 (Xeon E5420) and GM965,PM965 (Core 2 Duo T7300).
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo T7300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2-667 | DDR2-667 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 32 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5420) vs VT-x (Core 2 Duo T7300). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo T7300 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo T7300 rivals Athlon 64 X2 TK-42.
| Feature | Xeon E5420 | Core 2 Duo T7300 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | Yes | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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