Core i7-6560U vs Xeon W5590

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 i7-6560U vs Xeon W5590 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 i7-6560U vs Xeon W5590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6560U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W5590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W5590, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon W5590

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,342 vs 3,347).
❌Launch MSRP is still $202 MSRP, while Core i7-6560U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6560U better than Xeon W5590?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W5590 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6560U 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, Core i7-6560U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-6560U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W5590 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6560U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W5590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W5590 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-6560U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6560U vs Xeon W5590 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6560U

The Core i7-6560U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,347 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon W5590

The Xeon W5590 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,342 points. Launch price was $270.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6560U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W5590 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon W5590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-6560U versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W5590 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W5590 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i7-6560U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W5590 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6560U scores 3,347 against the Xeon W5590's 3,342 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-6560U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6560U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W5590.

Feature	Core i7-6560U	Xeon W5590
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.33 GHz+51%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,347	3,342

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6560U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W5590 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.