CPU
GPU
Xeon L5420
Core 2 Duo SL9400
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 L5420 is positioned at rank 847 and the Core 2 Duo SL9400 is on rank 1147, so the Xeon L5420 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L5420
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SL9400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($284) |
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 L5420 and Core 2 Duo SL9400
Xeon L5420
The Xeon L5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 March 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 50 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,143 points. Launch price was $380.
Core 2 Duo SL9400
The Core 2 Duo SL9400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 August 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 1.86 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,144 points. Launch price was $284.
Processing Power
The Xeon L5420 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon L5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon L5420 versus 1.86 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SL9400 — a 29.4% clock advantage for the Xeon L5420 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.86 GHz). The Xeon L5420 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon L5420 scores 2,143 against the Core 2 Duo SL9400's 2,144 — a 0% lead for the Core 2 Duo SL9400. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon L5420 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SL9400.
| Feature | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+34% | 1.86 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+34% | 1.86 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+100% | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,143 | 2,144 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon L5420 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SL9400 uses BGA956 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | BGA956 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon L5420) / VT-x (Core 2 Duo SL9400). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SL9400 targets Mobile.
| Feature | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo SL9400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Mobile |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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