Intel Xeon L5240
Runs in an LGA 775 board only with the adapter sticker, the socket tabs removed and BIOS support for its core. How the mod works.
Intel Xeon L5240: 2-core, 3.0 GHz, Wolfdale, LGA 771, 1333 MT/s FSB, 6 MB (shared) L2, 40 W TDP.
A 3.0 GHz dual core rated at just 40 W: the L5240 gets there with a 1333 MT/s bus and a multiplier of 9, 6 MB of shared L2 and a 45 nm die. The fine print is a Tcase of 56 °C, the lowest listed for a Wolfdale-DP Xeon, so it wants a cooler that keeps the heat spreader well clear of that figure. It also lacks Enhanced SpeedStep, so there is no Intel clock and voltage scaling. Launch dates differ: ARK says Q2 2008, Wikipedia February 27, 2008, and the table uses Intel's quarter. SSE4.1 and VT-x are both present, making it a fast, frugal option for an old LGA 775 desktop.
| Family | Xeon |
|---|---|
| Codename | Wolfdale |
| Socket | LGA 771 |
| Cores / threads | 2 / 2 |
| Base clock | 3 GHz |
| Front-side bus | 1333 MT/s (333 MHz base clock) |
| Multiplier | 9x |
| L2 cache | 6 MB (shared) |
| TDP | 40 W |
| Process | 45 nm |
| Launch | Q2 2008 |
| Dual-socket capable | Yes |
| VT-x | Yes |
| SSE4.1 | Yes |
| Enhanced SpeedStep | No |
| Max case temperature | 56 °C |
| Voltage range (VID) | 0.85 V to 1.35 V |
Steppings and microcode IDs
| Stepping | CPUID | sSpec |
|---|---|---|
| C0 | 10676 | SLAS3 |
| E0 | 1067A | SLBAY |
A BIOS needs a microcode update matching the CPUID (and, for Xeons, the LGA 771 platform ID). See LGA 771 Xeon microcode and how to read your stepping.
Mod notes
Closest LGA 775 desktop chip: Core 2 Duo E8500 (3.16 GHz, 1333 MT/s, 6 MB (shared)). A board that lists it is the best sign it can run the Xeon L5240.
Like its siblings it needs the adapter sticker, the two LGA 775 key tabs cut away and microcode for 10676 (SLAS3) and 1067A (SLBAY) with the LGA 771 platform ID, on a board that runs 45 nm Core 2 Duo at 1333 MT/s. Hold the cutter flat and take small bites, because a cracked socket frame or a bent pin ends the board's career.
Check a specific board with the LGA 771 to 775 compatibility checker.