CPU
GPU
Core i7-2600
Xeon X5687
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 X5687 is on rank 877, so the Core i7-2600 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 X5687
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+275%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($50) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
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 X5687
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 X5687
The Xeon X5687 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,386 points. Launch price was $121.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-2600 and Xeon X5687 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 versus 3.86 GHz on the Xeon X5687 — a 1.6% clock advantage for the Xeon X5687 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-2600 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5687 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600 scores 5,346 against the Xeon X5687's 5,386 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon X5687. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 659 vs 1,643, a 85.5% lead for the Xeon X5687 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 2,169 vs 5,386 (85.2% advantage for the Xeon X5687). L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5687.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.86 GHz+2% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz | 3.6 GHz+6% |
| L3 Cache | 8192 kB (total) | 12 MB (total)+50% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 5,346 | 5,386 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,648 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 659 | 1,643+149% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 2,169 | 5,386+148% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2600 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5687 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Xeon X5687 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-2600) vs 3 (Xeon X5687). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2600) vs 36 (Xeon X5687) — the Xeon X5687 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,H77,Z77 (Core i7-2600) and X58 (Xeon X5687).
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 288 GB+800% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 3+50% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 36+125% |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5687). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon X5687 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600 targets Productivity, Xeon X5687 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Productivity | Server |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2600 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Xeon X5687 debuted at $552. At current prices ($50 vs $189), the Core i7-2600 is $139 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600 delivers 106.9 pts/$ vs 28.5 pts/$ for the Xeon X5687 — making the Core i7-2600 the 115.8% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2600 | Xeon X5687 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-47% | $552 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $50-74% | $189 |
| Performance per Dollar | 106.9+275% | 28.5 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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