Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2658

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.

Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2658 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2658: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-3770S

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $150 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Delivers 58.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.7 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 95W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Xeon E5-2658 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,173 vs 6,232).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2658, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2658

2012

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌46.2% higher power demand at 95W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3770S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-3770S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3770S better than Xeon E5-2658?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2658 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3770S is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2658 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-3770S is the better buy right now. Core i7-3770S comes in $150 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2658 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 58.5% better value on MSRP (24.7 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2658 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2658 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-3770S

The Core i7-3770S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,173 points. Launch price was $330.

Xeon E5-2658

The Xeon E5-2658 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 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: 6,232 points. Launch price was $1,462.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3770S packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2658 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770S versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 — a 47.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3770S (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770S scores 6,173 against the Xeon E5-2658's 6,232 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2658. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-3770S vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2658.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2658
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+63%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+48%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8192 kB (total)	20480 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,173	6,232
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	694	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,303	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2658 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2658
Socket	LGA1155	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3770S) / not specified (Xeon E5-2658). The Core i7-3770S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5-2658 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3770S targets Budget.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2658
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Budget	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-3770S was priced at $250, while the Xeon E5-2658 came in at $400. On launch pricing ($250 vs $400), Core i7-3770S was $150 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3770S delivers 24.7 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2658 — making the Core i7-3770S the 45.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-3770S	Xeon E5-2658
MSRP	$250-38%	$400
Performance per Dollar	24.7+58%	15.6
Release Date	2012	2012

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