Xeon E5-2403
CPU·Budget

Xeon E5-2403

Intel

PassMark

2,367

14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
80 Watt
Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)

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.

Overview

The Xeon E5-2403 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,367 points. Launch price was $230.

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.

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

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Xeon E5-2403 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Among Us

Among Us

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra46 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium58 FPS
high58 FPS
ultra44 FPS
4k
low56 FPS
medium53 FPS
high50 FPS
ultra38 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra56 FPS
4k
low59 FPS
medium58 FPS
high46 FPS
ultra34 FPS
Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra53 FPS
1440p
low58 FPS
medium52 FPS
high47 FPS
ultra42 FPS
4k
low45 FPS
medium40 FPS
high36 FPS
ultra33 FPS
Deadlock

Deadlock

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra36 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high51 FPS
ultra31 FPS
4k
low36 FPS
medium30 FPS
high25 FPS
ultra17 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
4k
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
Left 4 Dead 2

Left 4 Dead 2

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
4k
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds

1080p
low46 FPS
medium41 FPS
high35 FPS
ultra30 FPS
1440p
low32 FPS
medium29 FPS
high26 FPS
ultra21 FPS
4k
low14 FPS
medium13 FPS
high10 FPS
ultra8 FPS
Palworld

Palworld

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
4k
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high49 FPS
ultra33 FPS
Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
4k
low59 FPS
medium55 FPS
high42 FPS
ultra33 FPS
Phasmophobia

Phasmophobia

1080p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high59 FPS
ultra59 FPS
1440p
low59 FPS
medium59 FPS
high55 FPS
ultra44 FPS
4k
low54 FPS
medium49 FPS
high34 FPS
ultra25 FPS

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E5-2403 specifications and capabilities.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2403 is a 4-core / 4-thread processor based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 1.8 GHz from a base frequency of 1.8 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. With a massive 10240 kB (total) L3 cache (3D V-Cache technology), this processor has a significant gaming advantage — the large cache drastically reduces memory latency in game engines., plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 2,367, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

SpecificationXeon E5-2403
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units4C / 4T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost1.8 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency1.8 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture designSandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient32 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores10240 kB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache64 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor294 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities1,270 million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency6.4 GT/s
64-bit SupportYes
Windows 11 CompatibleNo
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score2,367
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2403 fits into the LGA1356 socket and supports PCIe 2.0. It supports DDR3 memory.

SpecificationXeon E5-2403
TypeDesktop or Laptop processorserver
SocketMotherboard socket requiredLGA1356
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidthPCIe 2.0
RAM TypeSupported memory standardDDR3
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers2
🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E5-2403 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 80 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

SpecificationXeon E5-2403
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload80 Watt
💰

Value Analysis

Performance ranking position: #2436 out of all indexed processors.

SpecificationXeon E5-2403
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch$230
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking#2436
Release DateLaunch date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Release Year2012
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Typeserver
DesignerIntel
Launch Price$230
ManufacturerIntel
Release Date14 May 2012 (13 years ago)
Architecture CodenameSandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Performance Ranking Position2436

Technical Specifications

13 specs

Cores4
Threads4
Die Size294 mm2
L1 Cache64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache10240 kB (total)
Bus Speed6.4 GT/s
Max Frequency1.8 GHz
64-Bit Support+
Base Frequency1.8 GHz
Transistor Count1,270 million
Process Technology32 nm
Windows 11 Compatible-

Compatibility

4 specs

SocketLGA1356
PCIe GenerationPCIe 2.0
Power Consumption (TDP)80 Watt
Max Processors In Config2

Memory

5 specs

RAM TypesDDR3
Memory Channels3
Memory Bandwidth25 GB/s
ECC Memory Support+
Max Memory Capacity384 GB

Our Recommendation for Xeon E5-2403

Suggested pairings based on performance balance

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