Core i5-11500 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4

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.

Core i5-11500 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-11500 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-11500

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,531 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $2,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1319.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $2,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2689 v4, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads.

Xeon E5-2689 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,084 vs 17,096).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($2,723 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500 better than Xeon E5-2689 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2689 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11500 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-11500 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-11500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-11500 is the better buy right now. Core i5-11500 comes in $2,531 cheaper on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $2,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1319.2% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-11500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 10/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-11500 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-11500

The Core i5-11500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,096 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2689 v4

The Xeon E5-2689 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,084 points. Launch price was $2,723.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2689 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 v4 — a 19% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-11500 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500 scores 17,096 against the Xeon E5-2689 v4's 17,084 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-11500. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500 vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2689 v4.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E5-2689 v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+21%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.1 GHz+15%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB+108%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	17,096	17,084
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,883	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,064	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,564	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E5-2689 v4
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500) / not specified (Xeon E5-2689 v4). The Core i5-11500 includes integrated graphics (UHD 750), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E5-2689 v4
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD 750	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-11500 was priced at $192, while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 came in at $2723. On launch pricing ($192 vs $2723), Core i5-11500 was $2531 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-11500 delivers 89.0 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2689 v4 — making the Core i5-11500 the 173.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-11500	Xeon E5-2689 v4
MSRP	$192-93%	$2723
Performance per Dollar	89.0+1313%	6.3
Release Date	2021	2016

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