Core i5-1235U vs Xeon E5-2680 v2
Core i5-1235U
Xeon E5-2680 v2
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 i5-1235U is positioned at rank 171 and the Xeon E5-2680 v2 is on rank 636, so the Core i5-1235U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1235U
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-1235U | Xeon E5-2680 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-1235U | Xeon E5-2680 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) |
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 i5-1235U and Xeon E5-2680 v2
Core i5-1235U
The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.
Xeon E5-2680 v2
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,707 points. Launch price was $1,260.
Processing Power
The Core i5-1235U packs 10 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2680 v2's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-1235U (base: 1.3 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-1235U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1235U scores 12,740 against the Xeon E5-2680 v2's 12,707 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-1235U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1235U vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2.
| Feature | Core i5-1235U | Xeon E5-2680 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 12 | 10 / 20 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+22% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.3 GHz | 2.8 GHz+115% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total) | 25 MB (total)+108% |
| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | Intel 7 nm-68% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Alder Lake-U (2022) | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) |
| PassMark | 12,740 | 12,707 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 2,095 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-1235U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1235U versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 — the Core i5-1235U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-1235U) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2680 v2). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i5-1235U) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i5-1235U | Xeon E5-2680 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | FCBGA1744 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | LPDDR5-5200+67% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 768 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 20 | 40+100% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U) / not specified (Xeon E5-2680 v2). The Core i5-1235U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.
| Feature | Core i5-1235U | Xeon E5-2680 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Mainstream Laptop | — |
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