Xeon E5-2403 vs i7-860

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-860
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.89
+26%
Xeon E5-2403
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 80 Watt
1.50

Core i7-860 outperforms Xeon E5-2403 by a significant 26% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19672145
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.140.28
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency1.871.77
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Release date8 September 2009 (15 years ago)14 May 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$229$230

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon E5-2403 has 100% better value for money than i7-860.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.8 GHz1.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz1.8 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/s6.4 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)10240 KB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size296 mm2294 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors774 million1,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156FCLGA1356
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt80 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® AVX
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data-
Demand Based Switching-+
PAE36 Bitno data

Security technologies

Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB384 GB
Max memory channels23
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s25 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/Ano data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1624

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-860 1.89
+26%
Xeon E5-2403 1.50

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-860 2998
+26.7%
Xeon E5-2403 2367

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.89 1.50
Recency 8 September 2009 14 May 2012
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 80 Watt

i7-860 has a 26% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more threads.

Xeon E5-2403, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 18.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-860 is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon E5-2403 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-860 is a desktop processor while Xeon E5-2403 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-860 and Xeon E5-2403, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-860
Core i7-860
Intel Xeon E5-2403
Xeon E5-2403

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-860 or Xeon E5-2403, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.