Core i7-2600K vs Xeon W-2104
Core i7-2600K
Xeon W-2104
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 i7-2600K is positioned at rank 860 and the Xeon W-2104 is on rank 640, so the Xeon W-2104 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W-2104
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($109) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($309) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Skylake (server) (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+181%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($109) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($309) |
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 i7-2600K and Xeon W-2104
Core i7-2600K
The Core i7-2600K 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: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,484 points. Launch price was $317.
Xeon W-2104
The Xeon W-2104 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 5,530 points. Launch price was $255.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2600K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon W-2104's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600K versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon W-2104 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2600K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-2600K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W-2104 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2600K scores 5,484 against the Xeon W-2104's 5,530 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon W-2104. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-2600K vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2104.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+19% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+6% | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8.25 MB (total)+3% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB (per core)+300% |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Skylake (server) (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 5,484 | 5,530 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 707 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2600K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W-2104 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA2066 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-2600K) / not specified (Xeon W-2104). The Core i7-2600K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Xeon W-2104 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600K rivals FX-8150.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Gaming Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2600K launched at $317 MSRP, while the Xeon W-2104 debuted at $294. At current prices ($109 vs $309), the Core i7-2600K is $200 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2600K delivers 50.3 pts/$ vs 17.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2104 — making the Core i7-2600K the 95% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2600K | Xeon W-2104 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $317 | $294-7% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $109-65% | $309 |
| Performance per Dollar | 50.3+181% | 17.9 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2017 |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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