Core i5-6500T vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i5-6500T vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i5-6500T vs Xeon E3-1220 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 i5-6500T

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 69W, a 34W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Xeon E3-1220 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Xeon E3-1220 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E3-1220 v2

2012

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,680 vs 4,764).
❌97.1% higher power demand at 69W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6500T better than Xeon E3-1220 v2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6500T 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 i5-6500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-6500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220 v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6500T 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 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6500T vs Xeon E3-1220 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6500T

The Core i5-6500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,764 points. Launch price was $192.

Xeon E3-1220 v2

The Xeon E3-1220 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,680 points. Launch price was $220.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6500T and Xeon E3-1220 v2 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-6500T versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v2 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1220 v2 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-6500T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6500T scores 4,764 against the Xeon E3-1220 v2's 4,680 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-6500T. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500T vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v2.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Xeon E3-1220 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,764+2%	4,680

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Xeon E3-1220 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v2). The Core i5-6500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.