Core i5-6600K vs Xeon E5-2640
Core i5-6600K
Xeon E5-2640
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 i5-6600K is positioned at rank 662 and the Xeon E5-2640 is on rank 946, so the Core i5-6600K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2640
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($105) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+742%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($105) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) |
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 i5-6600K and Xeon E5-2640
Core i5-6600K
The Core i5-6600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $242.
Xeon E5-2640
The Xeon E5-2640 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 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: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600K versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-6600K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-6600K uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600K scores 6,301 against the Xeon E5-2640's 6,305 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2640. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600K vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+30% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+40% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 15360 kB (total)+150% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 6,301 | 6,305 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-6600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 384 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 4 |
| ECC Support | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 40 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6600K) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2640). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 targets Server.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Server |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6600K launched at $242 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2640 debuted at $885.
| Feature | Core i5-6600K | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $242-73% | $885 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $105 | — |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2012 |
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