Core i7-6770HQ vs Xeon X5690

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 X5690 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 X5690: 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

✅+0.7% 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 X5690 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5690, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% 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 (7,031 vs 7,083).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 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 X5690?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5690 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 0.7% 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 X5690 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-6770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5690 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5690 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2011) 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 X5690 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 X5690

The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6770HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5690 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5690 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 — a 6.4% clock advantage for the Xeon X5690 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Core i7-6770HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6770HQ scores 7,083 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-6770HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon X5690
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.73 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.46 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	6 MB	12288 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	7,083	7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,000
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 X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Core i7-6770HQ versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 — the Core i7-6770HQ supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-6770HQ) vs 3 (Xeon X5690). Chipset compatibility: HM170,QM170,CM236 (Core i7-6770HQ) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690).

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Xeon X5690
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+60%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-6770HQ) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). The Core i7-6770HQ includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Xeon X5690 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.