CPU
GPU
Xeon X5470
Core 2 Duo SP9600
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 X5470 is positioned at rank 739 and the Core 2 Duo SP9600 is on rank 138, so the Core 2 Duo SP9600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5470
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo SP9600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5470 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Harpertown (2007−2008) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5470 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($316) |
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 X5470 and Core 2 Duo SP9600
Xeon X5470
The Xeon X5470 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 0.33 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,869 points. Launch price was $1,386.
Core 2 Duo SP9600
The Core 2 Duo SP9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.53 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA479. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,836 points. Launch price was $316.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Xeon X5470 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 0.33 GHz on the Xeon X5470 versus 2.53 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SP9600 — a 153.8% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo SP9600 (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Xeon X5470 uses the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture (45 nm), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5470 scores 2,869 against the Core 2 Duo SP9600's 2,836 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon X5470. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon X5470 vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo SP9600.
| Feature | Xeon X5470 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 0.33 GHz | 2.53 GHz+667% |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+32% | 2.53 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB L2 Cache+100% | 6 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Harpertown (2007−2008) | Penryn (2008−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,869+1% | 2,836 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5470 uses the LGA771 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo SP9600 uses BGA479 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon X5470 | Core 2 Duo SP9600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA771 | BGA479 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0+82% | PCIe 1.1 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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