CPU
GPU
Core i7-2600
Xeon E5-2620
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 i7-2600 is positioned at rank 835 and the Xeon E5-2620 is on rank 722, so the Xeon E5-2620 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2620
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+79%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($89) |
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 i7-2600 and Xeon E5-2620
Core i7-2600
The Core i7-2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.
Xeon E5-2620
The Xeon E5-2620 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,328 points. Launch price was $36.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2600 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 — a 41.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-2600 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600 scores 5,346 against the Xeon E5-2620's 5,328 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-2600. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+52% | 2.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+70% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 15360 kB (total)+88% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 5,346 | 5,328 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,648 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 659 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,169 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2600 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2620 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-2600) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2620). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2600) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2620) — the Xeon E5-2620 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,H77,Z77 (Core i7-2600) and Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2620).
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 384 GB+1100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600) / not specified (Xeon E5-2620). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon E5-2620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Productivity | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2600 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2620 debuted at $360. At current prices ($50 vs $89), the Core i7-2600 is $39 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600 delivers 106.9 pts/$ vs 59.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2620 — making the Core i7-2600 the 56.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon E5-2620 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-18% | $360 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-44% | $89 |
| Performance per Dollar | 106.9+78% | 59.9 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2012 |
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