Xeon E5502 vs Xeon L5335

Intel

Xeon E5502

2 Cores2 Thrd80 WWMax: 1.87 GHz2009
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon L5335

4 Cores4 Thrd50 WWMax: 2 GHz2007
Similar parts
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Xeon E5502 vs Xeon L5335 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.

Xeon E5502 vs Xeon L5335 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.

Xeon E5502 vs Xeon L5335: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5502

2009

Why buy it

  • Costs $192 less on MSRP ($188 MSRP vs $380 MSRP).
  • Delivers 100.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.2 vs 4.6 PassMark/$ ($188 MSRP vs $380 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (1,725 vs 1,737).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
  • 60% higher power demand at 80W vs 50W.

Xeon L5335

2007

Why buy it

  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • Draws 50W instead of 80W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.6 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($380 MSRP vs $188 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon L5335 better than Xeon E5502?
Yes. Xeon L5335 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon L5335 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% 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, Xeon L5335 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon L5335 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5502 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon L5335 comes in 102.1% more expensive on MSRP at $380 MSRP versus $188 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5502 is also 100.7% better value on MSRP (9.2 vs 4.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E5502 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2009 vs 2007). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5502 vs Xeon L5335 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Intel

Xeon L5335

The Xeon L5335 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 August 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Clovertown (2006−2007) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 50 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 1,737 points. Launch price was $380.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5502 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Xeon L5335 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon L5335 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.87 GHz on the Xeon E5502 versus 2 GHz on the Xeon L5335 — a 6.7% clock advantage for the Xeon L5335 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5502 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon L5335 uses Clovertown (2006−2007) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5502 scores 1,725 against the Xeon L5335's 1,737 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon L5335. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5502 vs 8 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon L5335.

FeatureXeon E5502Xeon L5335
Cores / Threads
2 / 2
4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock
1.87 GHz
2 GHz+7%
Base Clock
1.86 GHz
2 GHz+8%
L3 Cache
4 MB (total)
8 MB L2 Cache+100%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
4 MB (total)+1500%
Process
45 nm-31%
65 nm
Architecture
Gainestown (2009−2010)
Clovertown (2006−2007)
PassMark
1,725
1,737
Geekbench 6 Single
200
Geekbench 6 Multi
800
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5502 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon L5335 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5502Xeon L5335
Socket
LGA1366
LGA771
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: true (Xeon E5502) / not specified (Xeon L5335).

FeatureXeon E5502Xeon L5335
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5502 was priced at $188, while the Xeon L5335 came in at $380. On launch pricing ($188 vs $380), Xeon E5502 was $192 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5502 delivers 9.2 pts/$ vs 4.6 pts/$ for the Xeon L5335 — making the Xeon E5502 the 67% better value option.

FeatureXeon E5502Xeon L5335
MSRP
$188-51%
$380
Performance per Dollar
9.2+100%
4.6
Release Date
2009
2007

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