Core i5-6402P vs Xeon E5-2620

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 i5-6402P vs Xeon E5-2620 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 i5-6402P vs Xeon E5-2620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6402P

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $178 less on MSRP ($182 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
✅Delivers 98.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $360 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2620, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2620

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +16.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,328 vs 5,343).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.8 vs 29.4 PassMark/$ ($360 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6402P better than Xeon E5-2620?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6402P 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 i5-6402P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6402P is the better buy right now. Core i5-6402P comes in $178 cheaper on MSRP at $182 MSRP versus $360 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2620 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 16.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 98.4% better value on MSRP (29.4 vs 14.8 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6402P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6402P vs Xeon E5-2620 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6402P

The Core i5-6402P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,343 points. Launch price was $187.

Xeon E5-2620

The Xeon E5-2620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,328 points. Launch price was $36.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6402P packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-6402P versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 30.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-6402P (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i5-6402P uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6402P scores 5,343 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-6402P. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6402P vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E5-2620
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+40%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	15360 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	5,343	5,328

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6402P uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E5-2620
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6402P was priced at $182, while the Xeon E5-2620 came in at $360. On launch pricing ($182 vs $360), Core i5-6402P was $178 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6402P delivers 29.4 pts/$ vs 14.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 — making the Core i5-6402P the 65.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6402P	Xeon E5-2620
MSRP	$182-49%	$360
Performance per Dollar	29.4+99%	14.8
Release Date	2015	2012

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