Core i5-8500 vs Xeon E5-2690

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 i5-8500 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 i5-8500 vs Xeon E5-2690: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500

2018

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,865 less on MSRP ($192 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Delivers 944.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.6 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 135W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,521 vs 9,764).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 49.6 PassMark/$ ($2,057 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 better than Core i5-8500?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i5-8500 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2690 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 9 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2690 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-2690 comes in 971.4% more expensive on MSRP at $2,057 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-8500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2018 platform. Even with 944.7% better value on paper (49.6 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-8500 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500 vs Xeon E5-2690 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500

The Core i5-8500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,521 points. Launch price was $202.

Xeon E5-2690

The Xeon E5-2690 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,764 points. Launch price was $397.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-8500 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500 scores 9,521 against the Xeon E5-2690's 9,764 — a 2.5% lead for the Xeon E5-2690. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Xeon E5-2690
Cores / Threads	6 / 6	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+8%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+3%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+122%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,521	9,764+3%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Xeon E5-2690
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500 was priced at $192, while the Xeon E5-2690 came in at $2057. On launch pricing ($192 vs $2057), Core i5-8500 was $1865 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500 delivers 49.6 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 — making the Core i5-8500 the 165.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500	Xeon E5-2690
MSRP	$192-91%	$2057
Performance per Dollar	49.6+955%	4.7
Release Date	2018	2012

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