Core i5-6500T vs Xeon E5640

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 E5640 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 E5640: 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

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 35W instead of 80W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 530, while Xeon E5640 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5640 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $117 MSRP, while Xeon E5640 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5640

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,755 vs 4,764).
❌128.6% higher power demand at 80W 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 E5640?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5640 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 0.2% 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 $117 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5640 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 17.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010). That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-6500T vs Xeon E5640 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 E5640

The Xeon E5640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 4,755 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6500T is built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-6500T scores 4,764 against the Xeon E5640's 4,755 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6500T.

Feature	Core i5-6500T	Xeon E5640
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	—
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	14 nm	—
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	—
PassMark	4,764	4,755

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6500T) / not specified (Xeon E5640). The Core i5-6500T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E5640 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6500T targets Desktop.