Core i3-3220T vs Xeon E5506
Core i3-3220T
Xeon E5506
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-3220T is positioned at rank 939 and the Xeon E5506 is on rank 875, so the Xeon E5506 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3220T
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5506
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i3-3220T | Xeon E5506 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($146) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i3-3220T | Xeon E5506 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($146) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3220T and Xeon E5506
Core i3-3220T
The Core i3-3220T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,953 points. Launch price was $201.
Xeon E5506
The Xeon E5506 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,961 points. Launch price was $43.
Processing Power
The Core i3-3220T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5506 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5506 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i3-3220T versus 0.13 GHz on the Xeon E5506 — a 182.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-3220T (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Core i3-3220T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5506 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3220T scores 1,953 against the Xeon E5506's 1,961 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5506. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220T vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5506.
| Feature | Core i3-3220T | Xeon E5506 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+2054% | 0.13 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+31% | 2.13 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-51% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,953 | 1,961 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 465 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i3-3220T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5506 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i3-3220T | Xeon E5506 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220T) / not specified (Xeon E5506). The Core i3-3220T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E5506 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220T rivals A8-5500.
| Feature | Core i3-3220T | Xeon E5506 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Desktop | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i3-3220T and Xeon E5506
