Intel Xeon L5335

The Intel Xeon L5335 is a 4-core, 4-thread server processor from Intel’s Clovertown generation, built on the Core 2 architecture and a 65 nm process node. Released in August 2007, this end-of-life part targets the Server/Workstation segment, featuring a 50 W TDP, dual-die design with a 2x 143 mm² die size, and 582 million transistors. Its benchmark profile places it in the lower percentile of all CPUs (9th percentile), with an average benchmark score of 508, indicating it remains a modest performer by modern standards.

Benchmark Performance

The L5335’s benchmark results show a processor firmly anchored in the entry-level tier of its era, with multi-core scores that reveal its age. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 148 points; in Cinebench R20 multi-core, it reaches 619 points; and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, it produces 1,476 points. Single-core results are similarly modest: 87 points in Cinebench R20 single-core and 208 points in Cinebench R23 single-core. These numbers place the chip at the 9th percentile among all CPUs, meaning roughly 91% of tested processors outperform it.

Relative to its nearest rivals, the L5335 sits in a tight cluster. Its average benchmark score of 508 is 0.6% higher than the Intel Core i5-2557M (average score 505) and 0.7% higher than the AMD Phenom II X4 900e (average score 505). Conversely, it trails the Intel Core i7-720QM by 0.7% (that CPU averages 512) and the Intel Xeon E5405 by 0.9% (average 513). These deltas are minuscule — within a single percentage point — indicating that the L5335 is effectively performance-equivalent to these four competitors, with no meaningful advantage or disadvantage in aggregate workloads.

The multi-core scaling is worth noting. The jump from Cinebench R15 (148) to R20 (619) and R23 (1,476) reflects different workload intensities rather than a change in the chip’s capability, but the ratios are consistent with a 4-thread processor. For instance, the R23 multi-core score of 1,476 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 208, which aligns with the expected scaling from 4 threads on this architecture — though real-world scaling varies by application. Against the Xeon E5405, which is just 0.9% faster on average, the L5335 shows no substantial gap in either direction, making it a lateral move for systems already on Socket 771.

Power and Thermals

The L5335 carries a TDP of 50 W, a figure that places it in the low-power category for server processors of its generation. This 50 W rating is notably modest for a quad-core Xeon, making it suitable for dense or thermally constrained chassis where heat dissipation is a priority. The low TDP implies that a capable air cooler — such as a standard 1U or 2U server heatsink — is sufficient to manage thermals under sustained load, without requiring exotic liquid cooling or oversized heatsinks.

Given the 65 nm process node and the dual-die layout (2x 143 mm²), the 50 W TDP is achieved through conservative clocking — the base clock is 2,000.00 MHz with no boost clock available. This suggests the processor prioritizes efficiency over peak performance, a trade-off that aligns with its server/workstation positioning. The lack of an unlocked multiplier reinforces that this is a fixed-clock part, so users cannot push it beyond its stock 2.0 GHz frequency. In practice, the thermal headroom from 50 W means that system integrators can populate multi-socket boards with several of these chips without exceeding typical power budgets, though the absolute performance ceiling remains low.

Platform and Compatibility

The L5335 uses Intel Socket 771, a server socket that supports dual-processor configurations on compatible motherboards. Memory support is dual-channel DDR2 or DDR3, but the fact pack specifies that this "depends on motherboard" — meaning the chip itself does not mandate a memory type, but the board’s memory controller determines which standard is used. ECC memory is supported, which is critical for server reliability, but the memory bus is dual-channel only, limiting memory bandwidth compared to later triple- or quad-channel platforms. PCIe support is not listed in the data, so no specific lane count or version can be stated; however, the platform’s age suggests legacy PCIe generations are typical.

The processor is part of the Clovertown generation, which is a dual-die design — each die has 4 MB of L2 cache, for a total of 8 MB across the package, with 64 KB of L1 per core. The L3 cache is not present, as indicated by null values. The upgrade path is effectively non-existent: the production status is "end-of-life," and the Socket 771 platform has been obsolete for years. Users on this socket are limited to other Clovertown or later Harpertown Xeons, but the L5335’s low TDP and 2.0 GHz clock make it a specific choice for low-power servers rather than a stepping stone to higher performance. The launch MSRP was $380, which reflected its mid-range server positioning at the time, though current market pricing is not relevant to its technical profile.

FAQ

Q: What is the L5335’s core and thread count?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading, so it processes one thread per core.

Q: Does the L5335 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported, which is essential for error-correcting workloads in server environments.

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

A: The TDP is 50 W, which is low for a quad-core server chip; a standard air cooler for a 1U or 2U server chassis is sufficient.

Q: Can the L5335 be overclocked?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, and the base clock is fixed at 2,000.00 MHz with no boost clock available.

Q: What memory types does it work with?

A: It supports DDR2 or DDR3, but the specific type depends on the motherboard’s memory controller, not the CPU itself.

Q: How does the L5335 compare to the Intel Xeon E5405?

A: The L5335’s average benchmark score of 508 is 0.9% lower than the E5405’s 513, making them nearly identical in performance.

How It Compares

Intel Core i5-2557M: The L5335 edges out this mobile dual-core processor by 0.6% in average benchmark score (508 vs. 505). Despite being a server chip, the L5335’s 4 cores and 4 threads give it a slight aggregate edge over the i5-2557M, which is a low-voltage laptop part. The performance difference is negligible, though the L5335’s server-specific features like ECC support and Socket 771 set it apart in purpose.

AMD Phenom II X4 900e: The L5335 is 0.7% faster than this AMD quad-core (508 vs. 505). Both are 4-core, 4-thread parts from the late 2000s, and their benchmark scores are effectively tied. The Phenom II X4 900e targets desktops, while the L5335 is for servers, but in raw compute, they are interchangeable within measurement error.

Intel Core i7-720QM: The L5335 trails this mobile quad-core by 0.7% (508 vs. 512). The i7-720QM benefits from hyper-threading (4 cores, 8 threads) but runs at a lower base clock; the L5335’s higher 2.0 GHz clock partially compensates. Still, the i7-720QM holds a slight aggregate lead, making it a marginally better performer in mixed workloads.

Intel Xeon E5405: The L5335 is 0.9% slower than this fellow Xeon (508 vs. 513). Both are Socket 771 server parts, but the E5405 is a later Harpertown chip with a higher average score. The delta is small enough that for most server tasks, the two are interchangeable, though the E5405 offers a tiny performance edge that may matter in tightly benchmarked environments.