
Core i7-6800K vs Xeon E5-2470 v2

Core i7-6800K

Xeon E5-2470 v2
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-6800K is positioned at rank 691 and the Xeon E5-2470 v2 is on rank 337, so the Xeon E5-2470 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6800K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2470 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6800K | Xeon E5-2470 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-E (2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6800K | Xeon E5-2470 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+140%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($120) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6800K and Xeon E5-2470 v2

Core i7-6800K
The Core i7-6800K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,715 points. Launch price was $345.

Xeon E5-2470 v2
The Xeon E5-2470 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,701 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6800K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2470 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2470 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2470 v2 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-6800K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2470 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6800K scores 10,715 against the Xeon E5-2470 v2's 10,701 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-6800K. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2470 v2.
| Feature | Core i7-6800K | Xeon E5-2470 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 10 / 20+67% |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+19% | 3.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+42% | 2.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB (total) | 25 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell-E (2016) | Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) |
| PassMark | 10,715 | 10,701 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-6800K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2470 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-6800K | Xeon E5-2470 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1356 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
At current prices ($120 vs $50), the Xeon E5-2470 v2 is $70 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6800K delivers 89.3 pts/$ vs 214.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2470 v2 — making the Xeon E5-2470 v2 the 82.2% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-6800K | Xeon E5-2470 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $434 | — |
| Avg Price (30d) | $120 | $50-58% |
| Performance per Dollar | 89.3 | 214.0+140% |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2013 |
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