Xeon X3470 vs Core i5-2500S

Xeon X3470

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2009

Core i5-2500S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon X3470

4 / 8

3,341

0.0%

3,373

+1.0%

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 X3470 is positioned at rank 976 and the Core i5-2500S is on rank 854, so the Core i5-2500S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon X3470

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

36653%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

6920%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

6149%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

4750%

#536

Xeon W-3265M

MSRP: $6300|Avg: $3500

99%

#976

Xeon X3470

MSRP: $589|Avg: $16

100%

#979

Xeon E5-2689

MSRP: $1800|Avg: $18

97%

#980

Xeon E5-2450L

MSRP: $1106|Avg: $78

96%

#981

Xeon X3480

MSRP: $612|Avg: $48

96%

#982

Xeon E5-2687W

MSRP: $1885|Avg: $70

94%

#983

Xeon E5-4610

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $50

93%

#985

Xeon X7550

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $1400

93%

#986

Xeon E7540

MSRP: $1980|Avg: $146

92%

#987

Xeon E7530

MSRP: $1391|Avg: $146

92%

#988

Xeon E5-4627 v4

MSRP: $2500|Avg: $200

92%

#989

Xeon E5-4627 v3

MSRP: $2225|Avg: $200

90%

#990

Xeon X5660

MSRP: $1219|Avg: $10

86%

#991

Xeon E5-2667

MSRP: $1552|Avg: $31

85%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2500S

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17741%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16764%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12172%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3667%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2905%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2541%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1455%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1436%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1308%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1308%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1293%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1258%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1241%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1236%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1224%

#854

Core i5-2500S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $61

100%

#855

Athlon X2 BE-2400

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

100%

#857

Core i3-2102

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

99%

#858

Pentium G850

MSRP: $86|Avg: $75

99%

#859

Core i5-3475S

MSRP: $249|Avg: $42

99%

#860

Core i7-2600K

MSRP: $317|Avg: $109

98%

#861

Pentium G860

MSRP: $86|Avg: $36

98%

#862

Athlon II X2 245

MSRP: $66|Avg: $15

98%

#863

Core i7-2700K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $45

98%

#865

Core i5-4670K

MSRP: $328|Avg: $200

97%

#866

Core i5-3330S

MSRP: $231|Avg: $30

96%

#867

Celeron G465

MSRP: $70|Avg: $37

96%

#868

Athlon II X4 630

MSRP: $129|Avg: $15

96%

#869

A6-7400K

MSRP: $101|Avg: $43

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Use Case Distinction: This is a comparison between a Professional Workstation processor ($16) and a Consumer Desktop CPU. The Xeon X3470 is engineered for massive parallel workloads (rendering, scientific simulations), offering significantly higher core counts.

Insight	Xeon X3470	Core i5-2500S
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($16)	⚠️ Higher cost ($61)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-2500S ($61), however, is optimized for mixed workloads and gaming. For most users, it offers superior single-thread performance and responsiveness at a fraction of the cost ($45 less, 281% cheaper), making it the better choice for daily use and gaming.

Insight	Xeon X3470	Core i5-2500S
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+278%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($16)	⚠️ Higher cost ($61)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon X3470 Benchmark Check

Core i5-2500S Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon X3470 and Core i5-2500S

Xeon X3470

The Xeon X3470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 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: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,341 points. Launch price was $589.

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 X3470 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-2500S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X3470 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.93 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon X3470 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2500S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X3470 scores 3,341 against the Core i5-2500S's 3,373 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-2500S. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X3470 vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S.

Feature	Xeon X3470	Core i5-2500S
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.93 GHz+9%	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	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,341	3,373
Geekbench 6 Single	—	600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon X3470 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2500S uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon X3470	Core i5-2500S
Socket	LGA1156	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 X3470) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon X3470 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 X3470	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 X3470 launched at $589 MSRP, while the Core i5-2500S debuted at $192. At current prices ($16 vs $61), the Xeon X3470 is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X3470 delivers 208.8 pts/$ vs 55.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-2500S — making the Xeon X3470 the 116.3% better value option.