Xeon L3426 vs Core i7-870S
Xeon L3426
Core i7-870S
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 L3426 is positioned at rank 753 and the Core i7-870S is on rank 1008, so the Xeon L3426 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L3426
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-870S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon L3426 | Core i7-870S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon L3426 | Core i7-870S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
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 L3426 and Core i7-870S
Xeon L3426
The Xeon L3426 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,742 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i7-870S
The Core i7-870S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 July 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,765 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon L3426 and Core i7-870S share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon L3426 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-870S — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-870S (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i7-870S is built on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon L3426 scores 2,742 against the Core i7-870S's 2,765 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-870S. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3426 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-870S.
| Feature | Xeon L3426 | Core i7-870S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz+12% |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.66 GHz+43% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | — | Lynnfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 2,742 | 2,765 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1156 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon L3426 | Core i7-870S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1156 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon L3426 and Core i7-870S
