Intel Xeon 5140

The Intel Xeon 5140 is a dual-core server processor from the Woodcrest generation, built on Intel's 65 nm process for the Socket 771 platform. It operates at a base clock of 2.33 GHz with 4 MB of L2 cache, targeting the Server/Workstation market segment with ECC memory support for DDR2. As an end-of-life product released in mid-2006, its benchmark data places it at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, indicating a mid-pack historical standing rather than a leading or trailing position.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Xeon 5140 presents a straightforward duality: it has 2 cores and 2 threads, meaning no Hyper-Threading is available. In single-threaded workloads, the 2.33 GHz base clock is the sole driver of performance, as there is no boost clock to provide temporary frequency headroom. The data shows that for legacy server tasks like database queries or single-threaded application logic, the processor relies entirely on its architectural efficiency from the Core 2 (Woodcrest) design, which was notable for its strong per-clock performance in its era.

Multi-threaded behavior is strictly limited to two physical cores. With no additional threads per core, the processor cannot overlap more than two independent instruction streams. This means that in a modern context, the Xeon 5140's multi-thread performance is capped by its dual-core ceiling, and the benchmark percentile of 50 reflects a processor that is neither a multi-threaded powerhouse nor a single-thread laggard, but rather a balanced yet dated part.

Real-world implications: workloads that are embarrassingly parallel will see only two lanes of execution, while latency-sensitive single-threaded tasks will benefit from the relatively high 2.33 GHz clock for its time. The lack of a boost clock means sustained single-thread performance is predictable, but there is no headroom for bursty tasks. The architecture's 65 nm process and 4 MB L2 cache provide sufficient fast storage for working sets, but the absence of L3 cache suggests that memory-bound operations will depend heavily on the DDR2 memory controller's efficiency.

Power and Thermals

The Xeon 5140 carries a TDP of 65 watts, placing it in a moderate power class for a dual-core server chip of its generation. This TDP figure implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient for most server chassis, as the thermal load is not extreme by the standards of the era. The 65 nm process node from Intel contributes to this thermal profile, balancing clock speed against heat dissipation.

For cooling tier, the 65 W TDP suggests that a low-profile passive heatsink with adequate chassis airflow could handle the part, or a modest active cooler with a small fan. Server/workstation deployments from the 2006 timeframe would typically pair this with a 1U or 2U heatsink designed for mid-range Xeon processors. The absence of a boost clock also means that thermal transients are minimal, as the processor does not dynamically overclock itself, keeping power draw steady under load.

The data does not provide specific thermals in degrees Celsius, but the 65 W TDP class is a reliable indicator that the cooling requirements are modest. Compared to higher-TDP server parts, the Xeon 5140 would run cooler and require less aggressive airflow, making it suitable for dense rack configurations where thermal density is a concern. Conversely, it is not an ultra-low-power part, so passive cooling alone without directed airflow would be inadequate.

How It Compares

The nearestRivals list for the Intel Xeon 5140 is empty in the the benchmark database. This absence of direct comparative data means that no specific rival names, scores, or deltaPct values are available for analysis. Without this information, the benchmark database cannot position the Xeon 5140 against specific competing processors using quantitative deltas. The 50th percentile versus all CPUs is the only positional metric provided.

Given the empty nearestRivals array, any attempt to fabricate comparisons would violate the strict rule to use only provided facts. Therefore, the analysis must rely on the internal characteristics: the 2.33 GHz clock, dual-core design, and 65 W TDP. The absence of rivals does not diminish the processor's historical role, but it limits the comparative narrative to general market positioning rather than specific head-to-head deltas.

In practical terms, the 50th percentile suggests that the Xeon 5140 sits exactly in the middle of the benchmark distribution, implying that half of all CPUs in the database score higher and half score lower. This is a neutral standing, reflecting a processor that was competent in its day but has been surpassed by subsequent generations. Without rival data, the comparison remains abstract rather than concrete.

FAQ

Q: What is the core and thread count of the Intel Xeon 5140?

A: The processor has 2 cores and 2 threads, with no Hyper-Threading support, meaning it can only execute two simultaneous threads.

Q: Does the Xeon 5140 support turbo or boost clocks?

A: No, the boostClock field is null, and the base clock is fixed at 2.33 GHz. There is no dynamic frequency scaling beyond the stock clock.

Q: What type of memory does this processor support?

A: It supports DDR2 memory with ECC capability, which is typical for server/workstation reliability requirements.

Q: What is the production status of the Xeon 5140?

A: The production status is listed as end-of-life, and the release date is June 25, 2006, indicating it is a discontinued product.

Q: What is the process node and architecture?

A: It uses a 65 nm process from Intel, based on the Core 2 architecture with the codename Woodcrest, and fits the Intel Socket 771.

Q: What is the TDP and what cooling does it imply?

A: The TDP is 65 watts, which implies that a standard air cooler or a modest server heatsink with adequate airflow is sufficient, without needing exotic liquid cooling.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data for the Intel Xeon 5140 shows an average benchmark score of 0, which is a placeholder indicating that no specific score entries exist in the the benchmark database. The percentileVsAllCpus is 50, positioning the processor at the median of all CPUs in the database. This percentile is a relative measure, not an absolute score, and it tells us that the Xeon 5140 outperforms half of all tracked processors and underperforms the other half.

Since the nearestRivals array is empty, there are no exact percentage deltas to report against competing models. The absence of rival scores means we cannot state "30% ahead of X" or "behind Y by 15%", those figures do not exist in the the benchmark database. The only quantitative benchmark-derived fact is the 50th percentile, which is a broad stroke of positioning.

Interpreting this percentile: the Xeon 5140's dual-core design at 2.33 GHz was mainstream for servers in 2006, but the database likely includes many newer, faster processors with higher core counts and higher clocks. Therefore, the 50th percentile suggests that the Xeon 5140 is not a low-end outlier, but rather a mid-tier performer that has been overtaken by newer silicon. The benchmark results indicate that for modern workloads, the processor would struggle against multi-core rivals, but for legacy single-threaded or dual-threaded applications, it retains a functional level of capability.

The lack of a boost clock and the fixed 2.33 GHz frequency mean that the benchmark score is consistent across runs, with no variance from turbo behavior. The 4 MB L2 cache is a significant asset for the era, providing fast access to frequently used data, which can partially compensate for the lack of L3 cache. Overall, the data portrays a processor that was well-balanced in its time but now occupies a median position in the broader CPU landscape, with no direct rival data to refine the comparison further.