Core i7-6560U vs Xeon X3480

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 X3480 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 X3480: 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

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X3480 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X3480, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon X3480

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.3% 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 (3,327 vs 3,347).
❌Launch MSRP is still $612 MSRP, while Core i7-6560U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6560U better than Xeon X3480?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X3480 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 0.6% 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 X3480 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6560U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $612 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X3480 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X3480 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2010) 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 X3480 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 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.