Intel Xeon E5420

The Intel Xeon E5420 is a quad-core server processor from Intel’s Harpertown generation, built on a 45 nm process and released on November 10, 2007. It runs at a fixed 2.50 GHz with no boost capability, packs 4 cores and 4 threads, and carries an 80W TDP. Designed for Socket 771, it supports dual-channel DDR2 or DDR3 memory (depending on the motherboard) and ECC memory. Its launch MSRP was $316. In the current benchmark database, it holds a 13th percentile ranking among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 591—placing it firmly in the lower performance tier by modern standards. The processor is marked as end-of-life, and it lacks integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Benchmark Performance

The E5420’s raw benchmark results are modest. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 173 points; in R20 multicore, it reaches 721; and in R23 multicore, it hits 1718. Its single-core scores are equally unremarkable: 101 in R20 and 242 in R23. These numbers place the chip at the 13th percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning it outperforms only about 13% of tested processors. The average benchmark score of 591 is the key comparative figure. Against its nearest rivals, the E5420 is essentially tied with the Intel Core i3-4330TE (avgScore 591, deltaPct 0%) and the Intel Pentium G3250 (avgScore 591, deltaPct 0%). It is a hair faster than the AMD Phenom II X4 810 (avgScore 590, deltaPct 0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-2415M (avgScore 590, deltaPct 0.2%). In practical terms, these four CPUs deliver statistically indistinguishable average performance, despite coming from different generations and market segments. The E5420’s multicore scores are roughly seven times its single-core scores, but the absolute numbers remain low; for example, a modern budget desktop chip would easily double the R23 multicore result. Still, for a 2007-era server part, the performance is consistent with its position—adequate for basic server tasks, but far from competitive in today’s workloads.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E5420 has no boost clock, so its single-thread performance is locked to the 2.50 GHz base frequency. In Cinebench R23, it scores 242 points single-threaded and 1718 points multi-threaded. The multicore score is more than seven times the single-core score, indicating excellent scaling across the four physical cores. This is typical of server-oriented Xeon parts, which are designed to handle parallel workloads such as database queries, virtualization, and rendering. However, the single-thread score is very low by modern standards—many current desktop processors exceed 1500 points in the same test. The large gap between single- and multi-thread results means the E5420 will struggle with lightly threaded applications like older games or single-threaded productivity tools. In contrast, workloads that can utilize all four cores will see near-linear speedup, as the architecture’s shared L2 cache (6 MB per die) helps reduce memory latency. The absence of a boost clock also means there is no transient performance spike; the chip operates at a constant frequency under all conditions, which can be an advantage for predictable server workloads but a disadvantage for bursty consumer tasks.

Power and Thermals

The E5420 is rated at 80W TDP. This is a moderate figure for a quad-core processor from the Harpertown era, and it implies that a standard air cooler designed for Socket 771 is sufficient. Because there is no turbo or boost behavior, the chip draws consistent power under load, making thermal management straightforward. The 80W TDP is low enough to allow use in compact 1U servers, though the 45 nm process and dual-die design (2x 107 mm², 820 million transistors) mean that heat density is higher than newer parts. In practice, the lack of a boost clock means the CPU never exceeds its base thermal envelope, so a simple heatsink with a 80mm fan is typically adequate. The end-of-life status means that replacement coolers are no longer manufactured, but used units remain available. Overall, the thermal profile is unremarkable—neither a hot chip nor a particularly cool one—and it should not pose any cooling challenges in a properly ventilated chassis.

Platform and Compatibility

The E5420 uses Intel Socket 771, a platform exclusive to Xeon processors. This socket is long obsolete, and the chip is listed as end-of-life, so there is no upgrade path within the same platform. Memory support is dual-channel DDR2 or DDR3, depending on the motherboard; ECC memory is supported, which is a key feature for server reliability. The processor provides PCIe Gen 2 connectivity, though the number of lanes is not specified. No integrated graphics are present, so a discrete GPU is mandatory for any video output. The platform’s age means that modern features like NVMe boot, USB 3.0, or M.2 support are absent unless added via expansion cards. The 771 socket motherboards typically come from server OEMs like Dell, HP, or Supermicro, and they often require proprietary power connectors and cooling brackets. For a builder considering this chip today, the platform’s limited I/O and lack of modern interfaces are significant drawbacks. The dual-channel memory controller is also a bottleneck for memory-intensive workloads, though ECC support is a plus for reliability-critical applications.

How It Compares

Intel Core i3-4330TE: This rival matches the E5420’s average benchmark score exactly at 591, with a deltaPct of 0%. The i3-4330TE is a low-power dual-core desktop chip with Hyper-Threading, yet it delivers the same average performance as the quad-core Xeon. This highlights how architectural improvements and higher IPC have made up for fewer physical cores. In single-threaded tasks, the i3-4330TE would likely outperform the E5420, but the average score shows parity in mixed workloads.

Intel Pentium G3250: Another exact tie at 591 (deltaPct 0%). The Pentium G3250 is a dual-core, dual-thread desktop processor with no hyper-threading. Its parity with the E5420 underscores the Xeon’s age; a modern dual-core chip can match a quad-core from 2007. The G3250 also has a higher clock speed, but the E5420’s four cores compensate in multi-threaded scenarios, leading to the identical average.

AMD Phenom II X4 810: The Phenom II X4 810 scores 590, giving the E5420 a 0.1% edge (deltaPct 0.1%). This is a four-core AMD processor from the same era (2009), but built on a 45 nm process as well. The near-identical average score indicates that the two chips are performance peers, though the Phenom II typically has better single-thread efficiency. The E5420’s ECC support and server-oriented platform differentiate it, but raw compute is essentially the same.

Intel Core i5-2415M: This mobile dual-core processor scores 590, with a deltaPct of 0.2% in favor of the E5420. The i5-2415M is a Sandy Bridge laptop chip with a much lower TDP and integrated graphics, yet it nearly matches the Xeon’s average performance. This shows how far mobile architectures have come; a 2011-era ultra-low-voltage chip is on par with a 2007 server part. The E5420’s only advantage is its ECC support and higher core count, which may help in specific server workloads.

FAQ

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E5420 have integrated graphics?

A: No. The FACT PACK lists no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is required for any display output.

Q: What memory types are supported?

A: The E5420 supports DDR2 and DDR3, depending on the motherboard. It uses a dual-channel memory bus and supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP of this processor?

A: The TDP is 80W. There is no boost clock, so power draw is consistent under load.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No. The multiplier is locked, meaning the base clock of 2.50 GHz cannot be overclocked via multiplier adjustment.

Q: What is the production status?

A: The E5420 is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured and no future support is expected.

Q: What is its average benchmark score relative to all CPUs?

A: The average benchmark score is 591, placing it at the 13th percentile of all CPUs in the database.