Core i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2690 v3

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 i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2690 v3 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 i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2690 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11500H

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 135W, a 100W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU), while Xeon E5-2690 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,669 vs 16,027).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v3, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11500H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,090 MSRP, while Core i5-11500H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌285.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11500H can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11500H better than Xeon E5-2690 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11500H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i5-11500H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2690 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i5-11500H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2690 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i5-11500H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-11500H vs Xeon E5-2690 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11500H

The Core i5-11500H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm SuperFin process technology. Socket: FCBGA1787. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 15,669 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2690 v3

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,027 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11500H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-11500H versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 — a 27.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-11500H (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-11500H uses the Tiger Lake H45 (2021) architecture (10 nm SuperFin), while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11500H scores 15,669 against the Xeon E5-2690 v3's 16,027 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11500H vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v3.

Feature	Core i5-11500H	Xeon E5-2690 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock	4.6 GHz+31%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+12%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+20380%
Process	10 nm SuperFin-55%	22 nm
Architecture	Tiger Lake H45 (2021)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	15,669	16,027+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,532	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,801	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,248	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11500H uses the FCBGA1787 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Core i5-11500H versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 — the Core i5-11500H supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2690 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-11500H) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2690 v3). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-11500H) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2690 v3) — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM570,QM580,WM590 (Core i5-11500H) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2690 v3).

Feature	Core i5-11500H	Xeon E5-2690 v3
Socket	FCBGA1787	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+50%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-11500H) / not specified (Xeon E5-2690 v3). The Core i5-11500H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750 (32 EU)), while the Xeon E5-2690 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11500H targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11500H rivals Ryzen 5 5600H.