Core i7-5850EQ vs Xeon X5690
Core i7-5850EQ
Xeon X5690
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 X5690 is on rank 514, so the Xeon X5690 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 X5690
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($250) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+48%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($370) | ✅ More affordable ($250) |
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 X5690
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 X5690
The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.
Processing Power
The Core i7-5850EQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-5850EQ versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 32% clock advantage for the Xeon X5690. The Core i7-5850EQ uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5850EQ scores 7,036 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-5850EQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-5850EQ vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.
| Feature | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.73 GHz+38% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.46 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB | 12288 kB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 7,036 | 7,031 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,000 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-5850EQ) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-5850EQ launched at $435 MSRP, while the Xeon X5690 debuted at $250. At current prices ($370 vs $250), the Xeon X5690 is $120 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-5850EQ delivers 19.0 pts/$ vs 28.1 pts/$ for the Xeon X5690 — making the Xeon X5690 the 38.6% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-5850EQ | Xeon X5690 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $435 | $250-43% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $370 | $250-32% |
| Performance per Dollar | 19.0 | 28.1+48% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2011 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-5850EQ and Xeon X5690
