Xeon E5462 vs Core i3-5020U
Xeon E5462
Core i3-5020U
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 E5462 is positioned at rank 955 and the Core i3-5020U is on rank 598, so the Core i3-5020U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5462
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-5020U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5462 | Core i3-5020U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($45) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5462 | Core i3-5020U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($45) | ✅ 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 E5462 and Core i3-5020U
Xeon E5462
The Xeon E5462 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 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: 2,213 points. Launch price was $797.
Core i3-5020U
The Core i3-5020U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,232 points. Launch price was $281.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5462 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i3-5020U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5462 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5462 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core i3-5020U — a 24% clock advantage for the Xeon E5462 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5462 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i3-5020U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5462 scores 2,213 against the Core i3-5020U's 2,232 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i3-5020U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 363 vs 600, a 49.2% lead for the Core i3-5020U that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,239 vs 1,200 (3.2% advantage for the Xeon E5462). L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5462 vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-5020U.
| Feature | Xeon E5462 | Core i3-5020U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+27% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+27% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+300% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+2300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 14 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Broadwell-U (2015) |
| PassMark | 2,213 | 2,232 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 363 | 600+65% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,239+3% | 1,200 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5462 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-5020U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2 on the Xeon E5462 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i3-5020U — the Core i3-5020U supports 40% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5462 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E5462) vs 12 (Core i3-5020U) — the Xeon E5462 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: 5000P,3210,G31,P35 (Xeon E5462) and Broadwell-U (Core i3-5020U).
| Feature | Xeon E5462 | Core i3-5020U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR2 | DDR3L-1600+50% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+300% | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Xeon E5462) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-5020U). The Core i3-5020U includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 5500), while the Xeon E5462 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5462 targets Server, Core i3-5020U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Xeon E5462 rivals Athlon 64 X2 4000+.
| Feature | Xeon E5462 | Core i3-5020U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 5500 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Mainstream Laptop |
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