Xeon W3550 vs Core i7-950
Xeon W3550
Core i7-950
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 W3550 is positioned at rank 837 and the Core i7-950 is on rank 1067, so the Xeon W3550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3550
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-950
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W3550 | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W3550 | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+100%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 W3550 and Core i7-950
Xeon W3550
The Xeon W3550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 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: 3,251 points. Launch price was $235.
Core i7-950
The Core i7-950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 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: 3,250 points. Launch price was $290.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon W3550 and Core i7-950 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Xeon W3550 versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-950 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.06 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). Both are built on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon W3550 scores 3,251 against the Core i7-950's 3,250 — a 0% lead for the Xeon W3550. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon W3550 | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.33 GHz | 3.33 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.06 GHz | 3.06 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 | 3,251 | 3,250 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Xeon W3550 | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon W3550 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Core i7-950 debuted at $562. At current prices ($30 vs $15), the Core i7-950 is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W3550 delivers 108.4 pts/$ vs 216.7 pts/$ for the Core i7-950 — making the Core i7-950 the 66.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon W3550 | Core i7-950 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-48% | $562 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30 | $15-50% |
| Performance per Dollar | 108.4 | 216.7+100% |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2009 |
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