Core i7-6770HQ vs Xeon W3680

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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon W3680 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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon W3680: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6770HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580, while Xeon W3680 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3680 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3680, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon W3680

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.5% 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 (7,025 vs 7,083).
❌Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Core i7-6770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6770HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6770HQ better than Xeon W3680?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3680 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6770HQ 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 i7-6770HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6770HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W3680 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $594 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W3680 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W3680 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-6770HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 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 i7-6770HQ vs Xeon W3680 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6770HQ

The Core i7-6770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 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: 7,083 points. Launch price was $434.

Xeon W3680

The Xeon W3680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 7,025 points. Launch price was $350.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6770HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon W3680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon W3680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3680 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W3680 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Core i7-6770HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3680 uses Gulftown (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6770HQ scores 7,083 against the Xeon W3680's 7,025 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-6770HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon W3680.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon W3680
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.33 GHz+28%
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	7,083	7,025
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,769	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6770HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon W3680
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-6770HQ) / not specified (Xeon W3680). The Core i7-6770HQ includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Xeon W3680 requires a dedicated GPU.