Core i7-6800K vs Xeon E5-4655 v4

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 i7-6800K vs Xeon E5-4655 v4 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 i7-6800K vs Xeon E5-4655 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6800K

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $4,182 less on MSRP ($434 MSRP vs $4,616 MSRP).
✅Delivers 944.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 24.7 vs 2.4 PassMark/$ ($434 MSRP vs $4,616 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4655 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,715 vs 10,912).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-4655 v4, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-4655 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅Draws 135W instead of 140W, a 5W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.4 vs 24.7 PassMark/$ ($4,616 MSRP vs $434 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4655 v4 better than Core i7-6800K?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-4655 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6800K 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 E5-4655 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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 E5-4655 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4655 v4 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon E5-4655 v4 comes in 963.6% more expensive on MSRP at $4,616 MSRP versus $434 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6800K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2016 platform. Even with 944.4% better value on paper (24.7 vs 2.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-4655 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6800K vs Xeon E5-4655 v4 Technical Specifications

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

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 E5-4655 v4

The Xeon E5-4655 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,912 points. Launch price was $4,616.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-6800K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4655 v4 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-4655 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-6800K versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4655 v4 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-6800K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-6800K uses the Broadwell-E (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4655 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6800K scores 10,715 against the Xeon E5-4655 v4's 10,912 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon E5-4655 v4. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-6800K vs 30 MB on the Xeon E5-4655 v4.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Xeon E5-4655 v4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	30 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB+700%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-E (2016)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	10,715	10,912+2%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Xeon E5-4655 v4
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-6800K) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-4655 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E5-4655 v4 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Xeon E5-4655 v4
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-6800K was priced at $434, while the Xeon E5-4655 v4 came in at $4616. On launch pricing ($434 vs $4616), Core i7-6800K was $4182 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-6800K delivers 24.7 pts/$ vs 2.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4655 v4 — making the Core i7-6800K the 165% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-6800K	Xeon E5-4655 v4
MSRP	$434-91%	$4616
Performance per Dollar	24.7+929%	2.4
Release Date	2016	2016

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