Core i7-3820 vs Xeon X5650
Core i7-3820
Xeon X5650
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 i7-3820 is positioned at rank 791 and the Xeon X5650 is on rank 502, so the Xeon X5650 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3820
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5650
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3820 | Xeon X5650 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3820 | Xeon X5650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($30) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-3820 and Xeon X5650
Core i7-3820
The Core i7-3820 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Fevereiro 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,787 points. Launch price was $400.
Xeon X5650
The Xeon X5650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,742 points. Launch price was $53.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3820 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5650 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3820 versus 3.06 GHz on the Xeon X5650 — a 21.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i7-3820 uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5650 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820 scores 5,787 against the Xeon X5650's 5,742 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-3820. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total) on the Core i7-3820 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5650.
| Feature | Core i7-3820 | Xeon X5650 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+24% | 3.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+35% | 2.66 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 10240 kB (total) | 12 MB (total)+20% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 5,787 | 5,742 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 624 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3820 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5650 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3820) vs 3 (Xeon X5650). Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3820) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5650).
| Feature | Core i7-3820 | Xeon X5650 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4+33% | 3 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 | — |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-3820 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Core i7-3820 targets HEDT Desktop, Xeon X5650 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820 rivals FX-8350; Xeon X5650 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Core i7-3820 | Xeon X5650 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | HEDT Desktop | Workstation |
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