Core i5-11600K vs Xeon W-2245

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 i5-11600K vs Xeon W-2245 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 i5-11600K vs Xeon W-2245: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-11600K

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 125W instead of 155W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 750, while Xeon W-2245 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 17 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W-2245, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.
❌Launch MSRP is still $262 MSRP, while Xeon W-2245 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon W-2245

2019

Why buy it

✅+37.5% larger total L3 cache (17 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (19,422 vs 19,520).
❌24% higher power demand at 155W vs 125W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-11600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-11600K better than Xeon W-2245?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W-2245 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-11600K 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 i5-11600K is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 i5-11600K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i5-11600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-11600K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $262 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (74.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-11600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2019), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16, 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 i5-11600K vs Xeon W-2245 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-11600K

The Core i5-11600K 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 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,520 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon W-2245

The Xeon W-2245 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 19,422 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-11600K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2245 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon W-2245 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.9 GHz on the Core i5-11600K versus 4.7 GHz on the Xeon W-2245 — a 4.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-11600K (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-11600K is built on the Rocket Lake (2021) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-11600K scores 19,520 against the Xeon W-2245's 19,422 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-11600K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-11600K vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-2245.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Xeon W-2245
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.9 GHz+4%	4.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16.5 MB+38%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Rocket Lake (2021)	—
PassMark	19,520	19,422

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-11600K uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-2245 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-11600K	Xeon W-2245
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
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 i5-11600K) / not specified (Xeon W-2245). The Core i5-11600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 750), while the Xeon W-2245 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-11600K targets Desktop.