The Intel Xeon 5040 was a server/workstation processor with 2 cores, launched in May 2006. It is part of the Xeon lineup, using the Dempsey architecture with Socket 771. Thanks to Intel Hyper-Threading the core-count is effectively doubled, to 4 threads. To further increase overall system performance, up to two Xeon 5040 CPUs can work together in a multi-processor (SMP) configuration. Xeon 5040 has 2 MB of L2 cache per core and operates at 2.83 GHz. Intel is making the Xeon 5040 on a 65 nm production node using 376 million transistors. The multiplier is locked on Xeon 5040, which limits its overclocking potential.
With a TDP of 95 W, the Xeon 5040 consumes a good deal of power, so decent cooling is needed. Intel's processor supports DDR2 memory. ECC memory is supported, too, which is an important capability for mission-critical systems, to avoid data corruption. This processor lacks integrated graphics, you might need a graphics card.
The SSE4 instruction set is not supported, which can cause problems with modern games, as they require that capability.