
Core i7-7700K vs Xeon E3-1285 v6

Core i7-7700K

Xeon E3-1285 v6
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 i7-7700K is positioned at rank 577 and the Xeon E3-1285 v6 is on rank 455, so the Xeon E3-1285 v6 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7700K
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1285 v6
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-7700K | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($140) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-DT (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-7700K | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+226%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($140) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($450) |
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 i7-7700K and Xeon E3-1285 v6

Core i7-7700K
The Core i7-7700K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,625 points. Launch price was $339.

Xeon E3-1285 v6
The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-7700K and Xeon E3-1285 v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7700K versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — identical boost frequencies (base: 4.2 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i7-7700K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses Kaby Lake-DT (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700K scores 9,625 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6's 9,502 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i7-7700K. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-7700K | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 4.5 GHz | 4.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 4.2 GHz+2% | 4.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Kaby Lake-DT (2017) |
| PassMark | 9,625+1% | 9,502 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i7-7700K | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-7700K launched at $305 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 debuted at $450.
| Feature | Core i7-7700K | Xeon E3-1285 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $305-32% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $140 | — |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2017 |
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