Intel Core i5-2405S vs Intel Xeon W5590 Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2405S and Intel Xeon W5590 are both end-of-life desktop and server/workstation processors, respectively, that land in the 27th percentile of all CPUs. The data shows a remarkably tight contest: the i5-2405S wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but by margins that are almost negligible. Across every Cinebench test, the difference never exceeds 1.2%, making this a statistical tie in real-world terms. The i5-2405S takes Cinebench R15 multicore with 291 points versus 288 points for the Xeon W5590, a 1% edge. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i5-2405S scores 1213 against 1204, a 0.7% lead. Single-core results follow the same pattern: the i5-2405S posts 171 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 169, a 1.2% advantage, and 408 versus 404 in Cinebench R23 single-core, a 1% lead. The largest absolute gap is in Cinebench R23 multicore, where the i5-2405S scores 2890 versus 2867, still only 0.8% higher.

The average benchmark scores reinforce this parity. The i5-2405S averages 991 points, while the Xeon W5590 averages 986 points. The nearest rivals for the i5-2405S include the Intel Core i7-960, Intel Core i7-965, Intel Xeon W3565, and AMD Phenom II X6 1065T, each with an average score of 993 and a deltaPct of -0.2% relative to the i5-2405S. For the Xeon W5590, the nearest competitors are the Intel Core i7-875K and Intel Core i3-4130T, both scoring 984 with a deltaPct of 0.2%, plus the Intel Xeon X3470 and Intel Core i3-4370T at 983 with a deltaPct of 0.3%. This places both CPUs in the same performance neighborhood as older quad-core parts, with the Xeon W5590 sitting marginally ahead of its listed rivals while the i5-2405S sits marginally behind its own.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-2405S wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R15, it scores 291 versus 288 (1% higher), and in Cinebench R23, it scores 2890 versus 2867 (0.8% higher). The Cinebench R20 multi-core result shows 1213 versus 1204, a 0.7% lead.

Q: Does the Xeon W5590 have any benchmark where it beats the i5-2405S?

A: No. Across all five head-to-head benchmarks listed — Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in multi-core, plus R20 and R23 in single-core — the Xeon W5590 records zero wins. The i5-2405S wins all five.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-2405S has an average benchmark score of 991, which is 0.2% below the Intel Core i7-960, Core i7-965, Xeon W3565, and AMD Phenom II X6 1065T (all at 993). The Xeon W5590 averages 986, which is 0.2% above the Core i7-875K and Core i3-4130T (984) and 0.3% above the Xeon X3470 and Core i3-4370T (983).

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The i5-2405S leads by 1.2% in Cinebench R20 single-core (171 versus 169) and by 1% in Cinebench R23 single-core (408 versus 404). These are the largest percentage deltas in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-2405S includes integrated graphics, specifically the Intel HD 3000. The Intel Xeon W5590 has no integrated graphics at all, which is typical for a server/workstation part.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon W5590 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-2405S does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation reliability use cases.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i5-2405S is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The Intel Xeon W5590 uses the older Nehalem architecture (codename Gainestown), fabricated on a 45 nm process with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. Despite the smaller process node, the i5-2405S packs more transistors into a smaller physical area, reflecting a denser design.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i5-2405S has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading support. The Xeon W5590 also has 4 cores but doubles the thread count to 8, thanks to Hyper-Threading. This should theoretically give the Xeon an advantage in heavily threaded workloads, but the benchmark data shows the i5-2405S still edges ahead in every multi-core test. Clock speeds tell a different story: the Xeon W5590 runs at a 3.33 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost, while the i5-2405S runs at 2.50 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The Xeon's higher clocks are not enough to overcome the architectural lead of Sandy Bridge.

Cache hierarchies are similar in structure but differ in capacity. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i5-2405S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Xeon W5590 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache — a 2 MB advantage for the Xeon. Memory support also diverges: the i5-2405S uses dual-channel DDR3, while the Xeon W5590 uses triple-channel DDR3 with a listed memory bandwidth of 32.0 GB/s. The i5-2405S has no listed memory bandwidth figure in the data.

Platform features separate the two further. The i5-2405S uses Intel Socket 1155 and supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon W5590 uses Intel Socket 1366 and supports only PCIe Gen 2. The i5-2405S includes Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics; the Xeon W5590 has none. The Xeon W5590 supports ECC memory, which the i5-2405S does not. Power consumption is also starkly different: the i5-2405S has a 65 W TDP, while the Xeon W5590 draws 130 W — exactly double.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear but narrow verdict: the Intel Core i5-2405S is the faster processor in every measured benchmark, yet the margins are so slim that they are unlikely to be perceptible in most workloads. The i5-2405S wins all five head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 0.7% to 1.2%. Its average benchmark score of 991 is only 5 points higher than the Xeon W5590's 986. This is not a case of one CPU dominating another; it is a case of architectural efficiency overcoming raw clock speed and thread count.

The Xeon W5590's higher base and boost clocks (3.33 GHz and 3.60 GHz versus 2.50 GHz and 3.30 GHz) and its 8 threads versus 4 threads do not translate into a single benchmark win. The Sandy Bridge architecture in the i5-2405S, built on a smaller 32 nm process with more transistors (1,160 million versus 731 million), delivers better instructions per clock, even with a smaller L3 cache (6 MB versus 8 MB) and a lower TDP (65 W versus 130 W).

For a buyer choosing between these two today, the i5-2405S offers superior performance across the board, lower power consumption, integrated graphics, and a modern PCIe Gen 3 interface. The Xeon W5590 counters with ECC memory support, triple-channel memory bandwidth, and a higher thread count, plus a 2 MB larger L3 cache. The Xeon W5590 also has a launch MSRP of $1600, which reflects its original server/workstation positioning, while the i5-2405S has no listed launch MSRP. Unless the workload specifically demands ECC memory or triple-channel bandwidth, the i5-2405S is the better performer in this matchup.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2405S | Intel Xeon W5590 |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.33 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 130 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1366 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Nehalem |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge | Gainestown |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 45 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 731 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 263 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 32.0 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $1600 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-2405S wins in every benchmark category where the two are compared. That includes both single-core and multi-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The i5-2405S also wins on efficiency, with a 65 W TDP versus the Xeon W5590's 130 W, meaning it delivers equivalent or better performance at half the power draw. It offers integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely, and a newer PCIe Gen 3 interface. For general desktop use, light gaming, or any workload that benefits from lower power consumption, the i5-2405S is the clear choice.

The Intel Xeon W5590 has no benchmark wins to its name, but it does hold advantages in specific features. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for error-sensitive workstation or server tasks where data corruption is unacceptable. Its triple-channel memory bus provides 32.0 GB/s of bandwidth, a figure not listed for the i5-2405S, which could benefit memory-intensive applications. The Xeon also has 8 threads versus 4, a higher base clock (3.33 GHz versus 2.50 GHz), and a higher boost clock (3.60 GHz versus 3.30 GHz), plus 2 MB more L3 cache. For a user with a Socket 1366 platform already in place, or one who requires ECC memory and triple-channel bandwidth, the Xeon W5590 remains a viable option despite its older 45 nm Nehalem architecture and higher power draw. The benchmark data shows, however, that these advantages do not translate into any measured performance win over the i5-2405S.