CPU
GPU
Xeon E7540
Core 3 N355
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 E7540 is positioned at rank 986 and the Core 3 N355 is on rank 625, so the Core 3 N355 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E7540
Performance Per Dollar Core 3 N355
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($146) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) | ✨ Modern (Twin Lake (2024−2025) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+103%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($146) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($300) |
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.
Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E7540 and Core 3 N355
Xeon E7540
The Xeon E7540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 10,376 points. Launch price was $800.
Core 3 N355
The Core 3 N355 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 0.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,502 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E7540 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core 3 N355 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Core 3 N355 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core 3 N355 — a 52.8% clock advantage for the Core 3 N355 (base: 2 GHz vs 0.1 GHz). The Core 3 N355 is built on the Twin Lake (2024−2025) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7540 scores 10,376 against the Core 3 N355's 10,502 — a 1.2% lead for the Core 3 N355. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core 3 N355.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 8 / 8+33% |
| Boost Clock | 2.27 GHz | 3.9 GHz+72% |
| Base Clock | 2 GHz+1900% | 0.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 18 MB L3 Cache+200% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 2 MB (total) |
| Process | 45 nm | Intel 7 nm-84% |
| Architecture | — | Twin Lake (2024−2025) |
| PassMark | 10,376 | 10,502+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E7540 uses the LGA1567 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 3 N355 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1567 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 2 TB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 32 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E7540) / not specified (Core 3 N355). Primary use case: Xeon E7540 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E7540 launched at $1980 MSRP, while the Core 3 N355 debuted at $300. At current prices ($146 vs $300), the Xeon E7540 is $154 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7540 delivers 71.1 pts/$ vs 35.0 pts/$ for the Core 3 N355 — making the Xeon E7540 the 68% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E7540 | Core 3 N355 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1980 | $300-85% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $146-51% | $300 |
| Performance per Dollar | 71.1+103% | 35.0 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2025 |
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