
Core i7-5850EQ vs Xeon W3680

Core i7-5850EQ

Xeon W3680
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 i7-5850EQ is positioned at rank 954 and the Xeon W3680 is on rank 817, so the Xeon W3680 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5850EQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3680
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon W3680 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($26) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gulftown (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon W3680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1321%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($26) |
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 i7-5850EQ and Xeon W3680

Core i7-5850EQ
The Core i7-5850EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 7,036 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon W3680
The Xeon W3680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $350.
Processing Power
The Core i7-5850EQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-5850EQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3680 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon W3680. The Core i7-5850EQ uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3680 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5850EQ scores 7,036 against the Xeon W3680's 7,025 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-5850EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-5850EQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3680.
| Feature | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon W3680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.6 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB | 12 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Gulftown (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 7,036 | 7,025 |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-5850EQ launched at $435 MSRP, while the Xeon W3680 debuted at $594. At current prices ($370 vs $26), the Xeon W3680 is $344 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-5850EQ delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 270.2 pts/$ for the Xeon W3680 — making the Xeon W3680 the 173.7% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon W3680 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $435-27% | $594 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $370 | $26-93% |
| Performance per Dollar | 19.0 | 270.2+1322% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2010 |
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