Core i5-6440EQ vs Xeon E5-2620
Core i5-6440EQ
Xeon E5-2620
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 i5-6440EQ is positioned at rank 765 and the Xeon E5-2620 is on rank 722, so the Xeon E5-2620 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6440EQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2620
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($89) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+69%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($89) |
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 i5-6440EQ and Xeon E5-2620
Core i5-6440EQ
The Core i5-6440EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,329 points. Launch price was $250.
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.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6440EQ 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 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-6440EQ versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 7.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-6440EQ. The Core i5-6440EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6440EQ scores 5,329 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0% lead for the Core i5-6440EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6440EQ vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz+8% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 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 | 5,329 | 5,328 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,136 | — |
Memory & Platform
Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6440EQ versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon E5-2620 — the Core i5-6440EQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2620 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-6440EQ) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2620). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-6440EQ) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2620) — the Xeon E5-2620 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: QM170,HM170 (Core i5-6440EQ) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2620).
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | — | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 384 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6440EQ) / not specified (Xeon E5-2620). The Core i5-6440EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E5-2620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440EQ targets Workstation.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 530 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6440EQ launched at $250 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2620 debuted at $360. At current prices ($150 vs $89), the Xeon E5-2620 is $61 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6440EQ delivers 35.5 pts/$ vs 59.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 — making the Xeon E5-2620 the 51% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-31% | $360 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $89-41% |
| Performance per Dollar | 35.5 | 59.9+69% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2012 |
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