CPU
GPU
Xeon W5590
Core i5-2500S
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 W5590 is positioned at rank 678 and the Core i5-2500S is on rank 854, so the Xeon W5590 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W5590
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+101%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($30) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($61) |
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 W5590 and Core i5-2500S
Xeon W5590
The Xeon W5590 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,342 points. Launch price was $270.
Core i5-2500S
The Core i5-2500S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.
Processing Power
The Xeon W5590 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2500S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W5590 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon W5590 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon W5590 scores 3,342 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-2500S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W5590 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.
| Feature | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.7 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+23% | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+33% | 6144 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 3,342 | 3,373 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 600 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon W5590 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon W5590) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon W5590 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.
| Feature | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Legacy Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon W5590 launched at $202 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500S debuted at $192. At current prices ($30 vs $61), the Xeon W5590 is $31 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon W5590 delivers 111.4 pts/$ vs 55.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Xeon W5590 the 67.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon W5590 | Core i5-2500S |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $202 | $192-5% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $30-51% | $61 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.4+101% | 55.3 |
| Release Date | 2009 | 2011 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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