Core i5-2550K vs Xeon E5-1607 v2

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 i5-2550K vs Xeon E5-1607 v2 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 i5-2550K vs Xeon E5-1607 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2550K

2012

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $15 less on MSRP ($235 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 8.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 18.0 vs 16.6 PassMark/$ ($235 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1607 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1607 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,141 vs 4,228).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.6 vs 18.0 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $235 MSRP).
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2550K.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2550K better than Xeon E5-1607 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1607 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-2550K 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 i5-2550K is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2550K is the better buy right now. Core i5-2550K comes in $15 cheaper on MSRP at $235 MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1607 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 8.6% better value on MSRP (18.0 vs 16.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1607 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2550K vs Xeon E5-1607 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2550K

The Core i5-2550K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 4,228 points. Launch price was $189.

Xeon E5-1607 v2

The Xeon E5-1607 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,141 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2550K and Xeon E5-1607 v2 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-2550K versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-1607 v2 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2550K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-2550K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2550K scores 4,228 against the Xeon E5-1607 v2's 4,141 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-2550K. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2550K vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1607 v2.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+27%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+13%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	4,228+2%	4,141
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,058	—
Geekbench 6 Single	707	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,010	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2550K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Socket	LGA1155	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-2550K) / not specified (Xeon E5-1607 v2).

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon E5-1607 v2
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2550K was priced at $235, while the Xeon E5-1607 v2 came in at $250. On launch pricing ($235 vs $250), Core i5-2550K was $15 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2550K delivers 18.0 pts/$ vs 16.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1607 v2 — making the Core i5-2550K the 8.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2550K	Xeon E5-1607 v2
MSRP	$235-6%	$250
Performance per Dollar	18.0+8%	16.6
Release Date	2012	2013

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