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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,314 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1455.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,579 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Core i7-13700K

2022

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +56.2% higher average FPS across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $1,314 less on MSRP ($409 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 1455.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 111.9 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($409 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 125W instead of 130W, a 5W reduction.

Why buy it

✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 20.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13700K across 3 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (8,579 vs 31,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.2 vs 111.9 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $409 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Core i7-13700K moves to LGA1700 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13700K better than Xeon E5-1680 v2?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E5-1680 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-13700K is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-13700K is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 56.2% more average FPS across 3 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-13700K is the better fit. You are getting 261.3% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 16 cores and 24 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Core i7-13700K is the smarter buy today. Core i7-13700K is $1,314 cheaper on MSRP at $409 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it gives you a 56.2% average FPS lead across 3 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1455.9% better value on MSRP (111.9 vs 7.2 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i7-13700K is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013), a healthier platform with LGA1700 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-13700K Benchmark Check

Xeon E5-1680 v2 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	284 FPS	167 FPS
medium	268 FPS	145 FPS
high	223 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	190 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	238 FPS	140 FPS
medium	200 FPS	118 FPS
high	159 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	159 FPS	64 FPS
medium	134 FPS	57 FPS
high	103 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	90 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	689 FPS	310 FPS
medium	580 FPS	310 FPS
high	484 FPS	297 FPS
ultra	439 FPS	254 FPS
1440p
low	595 FPS	310 FPS
medium	525 FPS	302 FPS
high	441 FPS	261 FPS
ultra	378 FPS	220 FPS
4K
low	348 FPS	217 FPS
medium	314 FPS	196 FPS
high	295 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	261 FPS	147 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	648 FPS	310 FPS
medium	530 FPS	310 FPS
high	467 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	405 FPS	310 FPS
1440p
low	591 FPS	310 FPS
medium	491 FPS	310 FPS
high	427 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	371 FPS	310 FPS
4K
low	434 FPS	310 FPS
medium	374 FPS	310 FPS
high	339 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	290 FPS	275 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	970 FPS	310 FPS
medium	883 FPS	310 FPS
high	766 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	689 FPS	310 FPS
1440p
low	829 FPS	310 FPS
medium	740 FPS	310 FPS
high	642 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	566 FPS	310 FPS
4K
low	567 FPS	310 FPS
medium	515 FPS	310 FPS
high	463 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	404 FPS	310 FPS

Open Core i7-13700K Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13700K and Xeon E5-1680 v2

Core i7-13700K

The Core i7-13700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 September 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture. It features 16 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 45,784 points. Launch price was $409.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

The Xeon E5-1680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 12,396 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-13700K packs 16 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i7-13700K has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core i7-13700K versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — a 32.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-13700K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-13700K uses the Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13700K scores 45,784 against the Xeon E5-1680 v2's 12,396 — a 114.8% lead for the Core i7-13700K. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 31,000 vs 8,579 (113.3% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,846 vs 750, a 116.6% lead for the Core i7-13700K that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 18,980 vs 4,500 (123.3% advantage for the Core i7-13700K). L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13700K vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v2.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Cores / Threads	16 / 24+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+38%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+13%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+20%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256K (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake, Raptor Cove, Gracemont (2022)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	45,784+269%	12,396
Cinebench R23 Multi	31,000+261%	8,579
Geekbench 6 Single	2,846+279%	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	18,980+322%	4,500

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13700K uses the LGA1700 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-5600 on the Core i7-13700K versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — the Core i7-13700K supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1680 v2 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB — 28.6% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13700K) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1680 v2). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13700K) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1680 v2) — the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel Z790,Intel H770,Intel B760,Intel Z690,Intel H670,Intel B660,Intel H610 (Core i7-13700K) and C602,X79 (Xeon E5-1680 v2).

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Socket	LGA1700	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-5600+67%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	192 GB	256 GB+33%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-13700K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E5-1680 v2). The Core i7-13700K includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 770), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-1680 v2 targets Server/Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-13700K rivals Ryzen 9 7900X; Xeon E5-1680 v2 rivals Core i7-4960X.

Feature	Core i7-13700K	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel UHD Graphics 770	None
Unlocked	Yes	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	true	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Server/Workstation

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i7-13700K launched at $409 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 debuted at $1723. On MSRP ($409 vs $1723), the Core i7-13700K is $1314 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-13700K delivers 111.9 pts/$ vs 7.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — making the Core i7-13700K the 175.8% better value option.