Core i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v2

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 i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v2 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 i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6700HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,522 vs 6,523).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Core i7-6700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v2 better than Core i7-6700HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6700HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1620 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1620 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1620 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1620 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $294 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-6700HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700HQ

The Core i7-6700HQ 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,522 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E5-1620 v2

The Xeon E5-1620 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,523 points. Launch price was $315.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700HQ and Xeon E5-1620 v2 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6700HQ versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v2 — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 v2 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i7-6700HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700HQ scores 6,522 against the Xeon E5-1620 v2's 6,523 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v2. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6700HQ vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v2.

Feature	Core i7-6700HQ	Xeon E5-1620 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+42%
L3 Cache	6 MB	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)
PassMark	6,522	6,523

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.