Core i7-2700K vs Xeon E3-1220 v5
Core i7-2700K
Xeon E3-1220 v5
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 i7-2700K is positioned at rank 863 and the Xeon E3-1220 v5 is on rank 513, so the Xeon E3-1220 v5 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2700K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v5
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($45) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-DT (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+121%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($45) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
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 i7-2700K and Xeon E3-1220 v5
Core i7-2700K
The Core i7-2700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 October 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (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: 5,689 points. Launch price was $514.
Xeon E3-1220 v5
The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2700K packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-2700K versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2700K (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-2700K uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2700K scores 5,689 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz+11% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+17% | 3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Skylake-DT (2015) |
| PassMark | 5,689 | 5,713 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 701 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2700K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1151 |
| 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 i7-2700K) / not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v5). The Core i7-2700K includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 3000), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2700K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-2700K rivals FX-8150.
| Feature | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Gaming Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2700K launched at $332 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 debuted at $203. At current prices ($45 vs $100), the Core i7-2700K is $55 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-2700K delivers 126.4 pts/$ vs 57.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — making the Core i7-2700K the 75.5% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-2700K | Xeon E3-1220 v5 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $332 | $203-39% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $45-55% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 126.4+121% | 57.1 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2015 |
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