Core i7-3770S vs Xeon E5-2658
Core i7-3770S
Xeon E5-2658
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 i7-3770S is positioned at rank 691 and the Xeon E5-2658 is on rank 699, so the Core i7-3770S offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3770S
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2658
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3770S | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($250) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3770S | Xeon E5-2658 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+58%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($250) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($400) |
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 i7-3770S and Xeon E5-2658
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.
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 | — |
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 | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
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 | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-3770S launched at $250 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2658 debuted at $400. At current prices ($250 vs $400), the Core i7-3770S is $150 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-3770S delivers 24.7 pts/$ 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 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250-38% | $400 |
| Performance per Dollar | 24.7+58% | 15.6 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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