CPU
GPU
Xeon L5530
Core 2 Duo P8400
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 L5530 is positioned at rank 790 and the Core 2 Duo P8400 is on rank 33, so the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon L5530
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P8400
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon L5530 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon L5530 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) |
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 L5530 and Core 2 Duo P8400
Xeon L5530
The Xeon L5530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,522 points. Launch price was $800.
Core 2 Duo P8400
The Core 2 Duo P8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 July 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,497 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The Xeon L5530 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core 2 Duo P8400 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon L5530 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.66 GHz on the Xeon L5530 versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P8400 — a 16.3% clock advantage for the Xeon L5530 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Xeon L5530 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon L5530 scores 2,522 against the Core 2 Duo P8400's 2,497 — a 1% lead for the Xeon L5530. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon L5530 vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P8400.
| Feature | Xeon L5530 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.66 GHz+18% | 2.26 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.4 GHz+6% | 2.26 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 3 MB+1100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,522+1% | 2,497 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon L5530 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P8400 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon L5530 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | PGA478 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | 1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 8 |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 0 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon L5530) / true (Core 2 Duo P8400). Direct competitor: Core 2 Duo P8400 rivals Turion II Ultra M600.
| Feature | Xeon L5530 | Core 2 Duo P8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| IGPU Model | — | None |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
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