Core i5-7600 vs Xeon E3-1280 v2
Core i5-7600
Xeon E3-1280 v2
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 i5-7600 is positioned at rank 606 and the Xeon E3-1280 v2 is on rank 612, so the Core i5-7600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7600
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1280 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($114) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+130%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($114) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
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 i5-7600 and Xeon E3-1280 v2
Core i5-7600
The Core i5-7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,568 points. Launch price was $224.
Xeon E3-1280 v2
The Xeon E3-1280 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 6,619 points. Launch price was $645.
Processing Power
The Core i5-7600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1280 v2's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v2 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-7600 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600 scores 6,568 against the Xeon E3-1280 v2's 6,619 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1280 v2. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v2.
| Feature | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+2% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 6,568 | 6,619 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,307 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-7600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600) / not specified (Xeon E3-1280 v2). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E3-1280 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.
| Feature | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-7600 launched at $224 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1280 v2 debuted at $315. At current prices ($114 vs $50), the Xeon E3-1280 v2 is $64 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7600 delivers 57.6 pts/$ vs 132.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1280 v2 — making the Xeon E3-1280 v2 the 78.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-7600 | Xeon E3-1280 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-29% | $315 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $114 | $50-56% |
| Performance per Dollar | 57.6 | 132.4+130% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2012 |
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