Xeon W3540 vs Xeon W3530
Xeon W3540
Xeon W3530
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 W3540 is positioned at rank 843 and the Xeon W3530 is on rank 859, so the Xeon W3540 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3540
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3530
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W3540 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W3540 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 W3540 and Xeon W3530
Xeon W3540
The Xeon W3540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,075 points. Launch price was $699.
Xeon W3530
The Xeon W3530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,059 points. Launch price was $999.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon W3540 and Xeon W3530 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W3540 versus 3.06 GHz on the Xeon W3530 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Xeon W3540 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon W3540 scores 3,075 against the Xeon W3530's 3,059 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon W3540. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon W3540 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+5% | 3.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz+5% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,075 | 3,059 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon W3540 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon W3540 launched at $284 MSRP, while the Xeon W3530 debuted at $294. At current prices ($10 vs $10), the Xeon W3530 is $0 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W3540 delivers 307.5 pts/$ vs 305.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W3530 — making the Xeon W3540 the 0.5% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon W3540 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $284-3% | $294 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $10 | $10 |
| Performance per Dollar | 307.5 | 305.9 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2010 |
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