Intel Xeon 5030

The Intel Xeon 5030 is a dual-core server processor from Intel’s Dempsey line, built on the NetBurst architecture and a 65 nm process node. It targets the server and workstation segment, featuring 2 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 2.67 GHz, and it supports ECC memory via DDR2. The processor carries a TDP of 95 W and fits the Intel Socket 771, with a launch MSRP of $156, and it is now end-of-life.

How It Compares

The data shows no nearest rivals are listed for the Intel Xeon 5030, meaning direct benchmark deltas against specific competing processors are unavailable. In the absence of such comparisons, the processor’s position is defined by its absolute characteristics: 2 cores, 4 threads, and a 2.67 GHz base clock. This places it in a category where modern multi-core processors would likely exceed it in threaded workloads, but its NetBurst architecture and dual-core layout indicate a legacy performance tier.

Given the empty nearestRivals array, the Xeon 5030 cannot be positioned against any named competitor with exact percentage deltas. Its percentileVsAllCpus score of 50 suggests it sits at the median of all CPUs in the benchmark database, implying average performance relative to the entire historical range of processors. This percentile is a broad indicator, not a direct rival comparison, so any claims about beating or losing to a specific chip are unsupported by the benchmark database.

Without rival scores, the Xeon 5030’s relevance is best understood through its own specs. The 2 MB L2 cache per core (4 MB total) and 16 KB L1 per core are modest by modern standards, and the lack of a boost clock means performance is fixed at 2.67 GHz. The 50th percentile rank suggests it outperforms half of all CPUs ever benchmarked, but that includes many low-end or ancient parts, so the practical standing is low-to-mid tier for its era.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Xeon 5030 has a TDP of 95 W, which classifies it as a mainstream power draw for a dual-core server chip from its generation. This TDP level implies that a capable air cooler designed for socket 771 would be sufficient for standard operation, as the 95 W figure is not extreme. The NetBurst architecture is known for higher heat output per core relative to later designs, but the benchmark database does not provide thermal dissipation numbers, so the cooling requirement is inferred qualitatively: a standard server heatsink with adequate airflow should handle this chip.

The 65 nm process node and 376 million transistors on a dual-die design (2x 81 mm²) contribute to the thermal profile, but no specific temperature readings are given. For a server environment with consistent airflow, the 95 W TDP is manageable. The absence of a boost clock means the processor runs at a constant 2.67 GHz under load, which simplifies thermal management, no transient power spikes from turbo modes are present. The end-of-life status suggests this chip is now legacy, so cooling solutions from its 2006 release period are the appropriate reference, but exact cooler specifications are not in the benchmark database.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data indicates the Xeon 5030 is a dual-core, 4-thread processor with a 50th percentile rank, making it unsuitable for modern high-thread workloads like video rendering or scientific simulation. For gaming, the lack of a boost clock and only 2 cores means it would struggle with contemporary titles that expect 4 or more cores, and the NetBurst architecture’s low instructions-per-clock further limits gaming performance. Office productivity tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, and light web browsing are within its capability, as these are mostly single-threaded and the 2.67 GHz clock is reasonable for such duties.

Server workloads that are single-threaded or lightly threaded, such as basic file serving or legacy database queries, could still run on this chip, given its ECC memory support ensures data integrity. However, any modern multi-threaded server application would overwhelm the 2-core design. The 4 MB total L2 cache (2 MB per core) helps with repeated data access, but the lack of L3 cache is a limitation. The benchmark database shows no benchmark scores, so exact performance numbers for specific applications are absent; recommendations are based solely on core count, clock speed, and architecture.

The Xeon 5030 is best suited for legacy system upgrades or testing environments where software compatibility with older sockets is required. Its 95 W TDP and socket 771 form factor mean it fits older motherboards, but the end-of-life status implies replacement parts are scarce. For users running vintage operating systems or maintaining legacy hardware, this processor offers a functional baseline, but for any performance-sensitive workload, newer multi-core alternatives would be vastly superior, as indicated by the median percentile rank.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon 5030?

A: The Intel Xeon 5030 has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 2.67 GHz and no boost clock.

Q: Does the Xeon 5030 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the benchmark database lists ECC memory support as true, and the processor supports DDR2 memory.

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Xeon 5030?

A: The TDP is 95 W, which implies a moderate cooling requirement suitable for a standard server air cooler.

Q: What socket does the Xeon 5030 use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 771, which is specific to its server/workstation market segment.

Q: What is the manufacturing process node for this processor?

A: The Xeon 5030 is built on a 65 nm process node, with a transistor count of 376 million and a die size of 2x 81 mm².

Q: Is the Xeon 5030 still in production?

A: No, the production status is end-of-life, and it was released on 2006-05-22 with a launch MSRP of $156.

Q: What is the L2 cache size per core?

A: Each core has 2 MB of L2 cache, totaling 4 MB across both cores, and each core has 16 KB of L1 cache.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Intel Xeon 5030 is sparse: the benchmarks array is empty, and the avgBenchmarkScore is 0. This means no direct performance scores exist in the benchmark database to analyze. However, the percentileVsAllCpus value of 50 provides a relative measure, it indicates the processor performs at the median level compared to all CPUs in the database. This suggests that half of all CPUs benchmarked are slower or equal, and half are faster, but this is a historical comparison across many generations.

Without nearest rivals, exact percentage deltas cannot be calculated. The benchmark database explicitly lists nearestRivals as an empty array, so any claim of being “30% ahead” or “20% behind” a specific chip is unsupported. The only quantitative performance indicator is the 50th percentile, which positions the Xeon 5030 as an average performer in the entire CPU landscape. Given its 2 cores and 2.67 GHz clock, this average ranking likely reflects its era, where dual-core chips were common, but modern processors with 8+ cores would far exceed it.

The absence of a boost clock means sustained performance is flat, with no turbo headroom for bursty workloads. The NetBurst architecture, with its long pipeline, historically had lower efficiency per clock compared to later Intel designs, but the benchmark database does not provide efficiency metrics. The 2 MB L2 per core is decent for the time, yet the lack of L3 cache reduces cache hierarchy depth. The 95 W TDP is moderate, and the 65 nm process node indicates a mid-2000s manufacturing era.

In summary, the Xeon 5030’s benchmark performance is defined by its median percentile rank, but no specific scores or rival deltas exist to offer more granular analysis. The processor is a legacy dual-core part that would be outclassed by modern CPUs in multi-threaded tasks, but its single-threaded 2.67 GHz clock and ECC support keep it functional for basic server duties. The data provides no basis for claiming superiority over any named rival, so the analysis must rest on the 50th percentile and the hardware specifications as the sole quantitative evidence.