CPU
GPU
Core i7-6970HQ
Xeon E3-1220 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 i7-6970HQ is positioned at rank 486 and the Xeon E3-1220 v2 is on rank 581, so the Core i7-6970HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-6970HQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-6970HQ | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-6970HQ | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-6970HQ and Xeon E3-1220 v2
Core i7-6970HQ
The Core i7-6970HQ 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 4,632 points. Launch price was $623.
Xeon E3-1220 v2
The Xeon E3-1220 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,680 points. Launch price was $220.
Processing Power
The Core i7-6970HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v2's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v2 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-6970HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-6970HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6970HQ scores 4,632 against the Xeon E3-1220 v2's 4,680 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v2.
| Feature | Core i7-6970HQ | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz+6% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.1 GHz+11% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,632 | 4,680+1% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-6970HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-6970HQ | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-6970HQ and Xeon E3-1220 v2
