Xeon E5503 vs Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Xeon E5503
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
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 E5503 is positioned at rank 895 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is on rank 924, so the Xeon E5503 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5503
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5503 | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5503 | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 E5503 and Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Xeon E5503
The Xeon E5503 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 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: 1,815 points. Launch price was $287.
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
The Core 2 Extreme QX9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,805 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5503 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Xeon E5503 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 — a 23.4% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Xeon E5503 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5503 scores 1,815 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9300's 1,805 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5503. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5503 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9300.
| Feature | Xeon E5503 | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2 GHz | 2.53 GHz+26% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz | 2.53 GHz+26% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 12 MB+4700% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,815 | 1,805 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5503 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9300 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5503 | Core 2 Extreme QX9300 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
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