Core i7-6700 vs Xeon E5-1650

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 i7-6700 vs Xeon E5-1650 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 i7-6700 vs Xeon E5-1650: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6700

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,048 vs 8,056).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1650, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1650

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700 better than Xeon E5-1650?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1650 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6700 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, Xeon E5-1650 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-6700 is the better buy right now. Core i7-6700 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1650 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-6700 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6700 vs Xeon E5-1650 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700

The Core i7-6700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,048 points. Launch price was $303.

Xeon E5-1650

The Xeon E5-1650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,056 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6700 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1650 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-1650 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-6700 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-6700 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700 scores 8,048 against the Xeon E5-1650's 8,056 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1650. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-6700 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650.

Feature	Core i7-6700	Xeon E5-1650
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+5%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,048	8,056

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1650 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6700	Xeon E5-1650
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40