CPU
GPU
Core i5-8600K
Xeon E5-2687W
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 i5-8600K is positioned at rank 501 and the Xeon E5-2687W is on rank 982, so the Core i5-8600K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8600K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2687W
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+41%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($70) |
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 i5-8600K and Xeon E5-2687W
Core i5-8600K
The Core i5-8600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,134 points. Launch price was $257.
Xeon E5-2687W
The Xeon E5-2687W 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 3.1 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): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.
Processing Power
The Core i5-8600K packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8600K (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-8600K uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8600K scores 10,134 against the Xeon E5-2687W's 10,036 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-8600K. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600K vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W.
| Feature | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 8 / 16+33% |
| Boost Clock | 4.3 GHz+13% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+16% | 3.1 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 | 10,134 | 10,036 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,550 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-8600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K) / not specified (Xeon E5-2687W). The Core i5-8600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2687W requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.
| Feature | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Gaming Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-8600K launched at $257 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2687W debuted at $1885. At current prices ($100 vs $70), the Xeon E5-2687W is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8600K delivers 101.3 pts/$ vs 143.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W — making the Xeon E5-2687W the 34.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-8600K | Xeon E5-2687W |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $257-86% | $1885 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $100 | $70-30% |
| Performance per Dollar | 101.3 | 143.4+42% |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2012 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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