Core i5-6600T vs Xeon E3-1220 v6

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 i5-6600T vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 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 i5-6600T vs Xeon E3-1220 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-6600T

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $159 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).
✅Delivers 73.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.1 vs 15.0 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 72W, a 37W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,565 vs 5,589).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-6600T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.0 vs 26.1 PassMark/$ ($372 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).
❌105.7% higher power demand at 72W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-6600T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600T better than Xeon E3-1220 v6?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-6600T 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, Xeon E3-1220 v6 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-6600T is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600T comes in $159 cheaper on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $372 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1220 v6 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 73.9% better value on MSRP (26.1 vs 15.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E3-1220 v6 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), 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 i5-6600T vs Xeon E3-1220 v6 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6600T

The Core i5-6600T 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: 5,565 points. Launch price was $192.

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-6600T and Xeon E3-1220 v6 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6600T versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-6600T uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600T scores 5,565 against the Xeon E3-1220 v6's 5,589 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v6. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600T vs 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	5,565	5,589
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,083	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,175	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,212	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Socket	LGA1151	LGA1151
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 i5-6600T) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v6). The Core i5-6600T includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6600T targets Office. Direct competitor: Core i5-6600T rivals AMD Athlon II X4 640.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Xeon E3-1220 v6
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 530	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Office	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-6600T was priced at $213, while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 came in at $372. On launch pricing ($213 vs $372), Core i5-6600T was $159 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600T delivers 26.1 pts/$ vs 15.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — making the Core i5-6600T the 54% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-6600T	Xeon E3-1220 v6
MSRP	$213-43%	$372
Performance per Dollar	26.1+74%	15.0
Release Date	2015	2017

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