Core i7-6700HQ vs Xeon W3670

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 W3670 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 W3670: 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

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3670 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3670, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon W3670

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,424 vs 6,522).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 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 Core i7-6700HQ better than Xeon W3670?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3670 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6700HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3670 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6700HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W3670 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3670 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (25.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-6700HQ 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 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6700HQ vs Xeon W3670 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 W3670

The Xeon W3670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,424 points. Launch price was $295.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6700HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3670 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3670 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6700HQ versus 3.46 GHz on the Xeon W3670 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700HQ (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-6700HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3670 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700HQ scores 6,522 against the Xeon W3670's 6,424 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-6700HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6700HQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3670.

Feature	Core i7-6700HQ	Xeon W3670
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+1%	3.46 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.2 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	6 MB	12 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Gulftown (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,522+2%	6,424

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3670 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.