Xeon L3426 vs Xeon X3440

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 L3426 vs Xeon X3440 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 L3426 vs Xeon X3440: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon L3426

2009

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,742 vs 2,769).

Xeon X3440

2009

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $215 MSRP, while Xeon L3426 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X3440 better than Xeon L3426?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon L3426 is ahead with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X3440 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X3440 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon X3440 is the better buy right now. Xeon X3440 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $215 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon L3426 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.0% average FPS lead across 21 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon X3440 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon L3426 vs Xeon X3440 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon X3440

The Xeon X3440 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,769 points. Launch price was $215.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon L3426 and Xeon X3440 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon L3426 versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon X3440 — a 8.8% clock advantage for the Xeon L3426 (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Xeon X3440 is built on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon L3426 scores 2,742 against the Xeon X3440's 2,769 — a 1% lead for the Xeon X3440. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon L3426 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X3440.

Feature	Xeon L3426	Xeon X3440
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+9%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.53 GHz+36%
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	2,769