Core i5-11600 vs Xeon Phi 7290

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 i5-11600 vs Xeon Phi 7290 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 i5-11600 vs Xeon Phi 7290: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11600

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 65W instead of 245W, a 180W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Xeon Phi 7290 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon Phi 7290.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Phi 7290, which brings 72 cores / 288 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $213 MSRP, while Xeon Phi 7290 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Phi 7290

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 72 cores / 288 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-11600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,839 vs 17,912).
❌276.9% higher power demand at 245W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-11600.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11600 better than Xeon Phi 7290?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Phi 7290 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11600 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 i5-11600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.0% 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 i5-11600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-11600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $213 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (84.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11600 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 72/288, 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 i5-11600 vs Xeon Phi 7290 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600

The Core i5-11600 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: 17,912 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon Phi 7290

The Xeon Phi 7290 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 72 cores and 288 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 245 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 17,839 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7290 offers 72 cores / 288 threads — the Xeon Phi 7290 has 66 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i5-11600 versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7290 — a 95.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). The Core i5-11600 uses the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-11600 scores 17,912 against the Xeon Phi 7290's 17,839 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-11600. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600 vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7290.

Feature	Core i5-11600	Xeon Phi 7290
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	72 / 288+1100%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+182%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+87%	1.5 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	17,912	17,839
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,130	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Phi 7290 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11600	Xeon Phi 7290
Socket	LGA1200	LGA3647
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 (Core i5-11600) / not specified (Xeon Phi 7290). The Core i5-11600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon Phi 7290 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i5-11600 rivals Ryzen 5 5600X.