Core i5-6600T vs Xeon E3-1220 v6
Core i5-6600T
Xeon E3-1220 v6
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 i5-6600T is positioned at rank 659 and the Xeon E3-1220 v6 is on rank 718, so the Core i5-6600T offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600T
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v6
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6600T | Xeon E3-1220 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6600T | Xeon E3-1220 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+128%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($35) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
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 i5-6600T and Xeon E3-1220 v6
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.
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 | — |
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 | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
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 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6600T launched at $213 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 debuted at $372. At current prices ($35 vs $80), the Core i5-6600T is $45 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6600T delivers 159.0 pts/$ vs 69.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v6 — making the Core i5-6600T the 77.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6600T | Xeon E3-1220 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $213-43% | $372 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $35-56% | $80 |
| Performance per Dollar | 159.0+127% | 69.9 |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2017 |
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