Core i5-6442EQ vs Xeon E5-2603 v4
Core i5-6442EQ
Xeon E5-2603 v4
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 i5-6442EQ is positioned at rank 843 and the Xeon E5-2603 v4 is on rank 589, so the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6442EQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2603 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6442EQ | Xeon E5-2603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6442EQ | Xeon E5-2603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i5-6442EQ and Xeon E5-2603 v4
Core i5-6442EQ
The Core i5-6442EQ 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: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.
Xeon E5-2603 v4
The Xeon E5-2603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $213.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6442EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-6442EQ versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-6442EQ. The Core i5-6442EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6442EQ scores 4,483 against the Xeon E5-2603 v4's 4,517 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v4. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6442EQ vs 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4.
| Feature | Core i5-6442EQ | Xeon E5-2603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 6+50% |
| Boost Clock | 1.9 GHz+12% | 1.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB | 15 MB+150% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB | 1.5 MB+50% |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Broadwell (2015−2019) |
| PassMark | 4,483 | 4,517 |
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