Core i5-2300 vs Xeon X5698

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 i5-2300 vs Xeon X5698 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 i5-2300 vs Xeon X5698: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2300

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while Xeon X5698 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon X5698.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5698 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $177 MSRP, while Xeon X5698 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X5698

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,447 vs 3,475).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2300 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2300 better than Xeon X5698?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5698 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-2300 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, Core i5-2300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2300 is the better buy right now. Core i5-2300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $177 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5698 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-2300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2300 vs Xeon X5698 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2300

The Core i5-2300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,475 points. Launch price was $168.

Xeon X5698

The Xeon X5698 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,447 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5698 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2300 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-2300 versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon X5698 — a 34.7% clock advantage for the Xeon X5698 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i5-2300 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5698 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2300 scores 3,475 against the Xeon X5698's 3,447 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-2300. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2300 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5698.

Feature	Core i5-2300	Xeon X5698
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	4.4 GHz+42%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	12288 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,475	3,447
Geekbench 6 Single	516	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,515	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2300 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5698 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-2300) vs 3 (Xeon X5698). Chipset compatibility: H61,P67,Z68,Z77 (Core i5-2300) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5698).

Feature	Core i5-2300	Xeon X5698
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2300) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5698). The Core i5-2300 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon X5698 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5698 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5698 rivals Core i7-980X.