Core i5-9600
Xeon E5-2660 v2
Core i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 Performance Spectrum
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.
Core i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 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.
Path of Exile 2
Counter-Strike 2
League of Legends
Valorant
Among Us
Apex Legends
ARC Raiders
Baldur's Gate 3
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Core i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-2660 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict
See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.
Core i5-9600
2019Why buy it
- ✅Costs $1,169 less on MSRP ($224 MSRP vs $1,393 MSRP).
- ✅Delivers 519.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.0 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($224 MSRP vs $1,393 MSRP).
- ✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
- ✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-2660 v2 needs a discrete GPU.
- ✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2660 v2.
Trade-offs
- ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2660 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ❌Lower PassMark (10,313 vs 10,353).
- ❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 25 MB).
- ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2660 v2, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
Xeon E5-2660 v2
2013Why buy it
- ✅Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
- ✅+177.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 9 MB).
- ✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
- ✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
Trade-offs
- ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.4 vs 46.0 PassMark/$ ($1,393 MSRP vs $224 MSRP).
- ❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
- ❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-9600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
- ❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-9600.
Quick Answers
So, is Xeon E5-2660 v2 better than Core i5-9600?
Which one is better for gaming?
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i5-9600 vs Xeon E5-2660 v2 Technical Specifications
Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.
Core i5-9600
The Core i5-9600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,313 points. Launch price was $213.
Xeon E5-2660 v2
The Xeon E5-2660 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,353 points. Launch price was $850.
Processing Power
The Core i5-9600 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Core i5-9600 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — a 42.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-9600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-9600 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-9600 scores 10,313 against the Xeon E5-2660 v2's 10,353 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2660 v2. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-9600 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v2.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 4.6 GHz+53% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz+41% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 25 MB (total)+178% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake (2017−2019) | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) |
| PassMark | 10,313 | 10,353 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,443 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-9600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-9600 versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — the Core i5-9600 supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2660 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i5-9600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2660 v2). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-9600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2660 v2) — the Xeon E5-2660 v2 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B360,H370,H310,Q370,Z390,B365 (Core i5-9600) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660 v2).
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2666+43% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 128 GB | 768 GB+500% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | No | Yes |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-9600) / not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v2). The Core i5-9600 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-9600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-9600 rivals Ryzen 5 3600.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
At launch, the Core i5-9600 was priced at $224, while the Xeon E5-2660 v2 came in at $1393. On launch pricing ($224 vs $1393), Core i5-9600 was $1169 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-9600 delivers 46.0 pts/$ vs 7.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2660 v2 — making the Core i5-9600 the 144.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-9600 | Xeon E5-2660 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $224-84% | $1393 |
| Performance per Dollar | 46.0+522% | 7.4 |
| Release Date | 2019 | 2013 |
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