CPU
GPU
Core i7-6560U
Xeon X3480
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 i7-6560U is positioned at rank 378 and the Xeon X3480 is on rank 981, so the Core i7-6560U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6560U
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X3480
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6560U | Xeon X3480 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($48) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Lynnfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6560U | Xeon X3480 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($48) |
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 i7-6560U and Xeon X3480
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 X3480
The Xeon X3480 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 3,327 points. Launch price was $612.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6560U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X3480 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X3480 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-6560U versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X3480 — a 15.3% clock advantage for the Xeon X3480 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.06 GHz). The Core i7-6560U uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X3480 uses Lynnfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6560U scores 3,347 against the Xeon X3480's 3,327 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-6560U. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-6560U vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X3480.
| Feature | Core i7-6560U | Xeon X3480 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8+100% |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.73 GHz+17% |
| Base Clock | 2.2 GHz | 3.06 GHz+39% |
| 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) | Lynnfield (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,347 | 3,327 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-6560U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X3480 uses LGA1156 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-6560U | Xeon X3480 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1356 | LGA1156 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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