CPU
GPU
Xeon X5550
Core i7-940
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 X5550 is positioned at rank 712 and the Core i7-940 is on rank 1071, so the Xeon X5550 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5550
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5550 | Core i7-940 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5550 | Core i7-940 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) |
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 X5550 and Core i7-940
Xeon X5550
The Xeon X5550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 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): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,036 points. Launch price was $62.
Core i7-940
The Core i7-940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 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: 3,029 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon X5550 and Core i7-940 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Xeon X5550 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-940 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-940 (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Xeon X5550 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-940 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5550 scores 3,036 against the Core i7-940's 3,029 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon X5550. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon X5550 | Core i7-940 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.06 GHz | 3.2 GHz+5% |
| Base Clock | 2.66 GHz | 2.93 GHz+10% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Gainestown (2009−2010) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,036 | 3,029 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Both feature 3-channel memory with ECC support.
| Feature | Xeon X5550 | Core i7-940 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 24 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3 | 3 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 36 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5550) vs VT-x (Core i7-940). Primary use case: Xeon X5550 targets Workstation, Core i7-940 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon X5550 rivals Core i3-2100.
| Feature | Xeon X5550 | Core i7-940 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x |
| Target Use | Workstation | Desktop |
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