CPU
GPU
Xeon L5420
Core 2 Duo T5900
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 T5900 is on rank 19, so the Core 2 Duo T5900 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 T5900
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo T5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Merom (2006−2008) / 65 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo T5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($5) |
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 T5900
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 T5900
The Core 2 Duo T5900 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Merom (2006−2008) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: P. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 2,123 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Xeon L5420 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo T5900 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon L5420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon L5420 versus 2.2 GHz on the Core 2 Duo T5900 — a 12.8% clock advantage for the Xeon L5420. The Xeon L5420 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses Merom (2006−2008) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon L5420 scores 2,143 against the Core 2 Duo T5900's 2,123 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon L5420.
| Feature | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo T5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.5 GHz+14% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache | — |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total)+200% | 2 MB |
| Process | 45 nm-31% | 65 nm |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Merom (2006−2008) |
| PassMark | 2,143 | 2,123 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon L5420 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo T5900 uses P (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon L5420 | Core 2 Duo T5900 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | P |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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