Core i7-7800X vs Xeon E5-2685 v3

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 i7-7800X vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 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 i7-7800X vs Xeon E5-2685 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7800X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,707 less on MSRP ($383 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 446.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 33.8 vs 6.2 PassMark/$ ($383 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (28 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2685 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2685 v3, which brings 12 cores / 12 threads.
❌16.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 120W.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+263.6% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 8.3 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 12 threads.
✅Draws 120W instead of 140W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,944 vs 12,963).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.2 vs 33.8 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $383 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7800X better than Xeon E5-2685 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2685 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7800X 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 i7-7800X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-7800X is the better buy right now. Core i7-7800X comes in $1,707 cheaper on MSRP at $383 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2685 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 446.5% better value on MSRP (33.8 vs 6.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-7800X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 12/12, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7800X vs Xeon E5-2685 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7800X

The Core i7-7800X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 12,963 points. Launch price was $383.

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-7800X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-7800X versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — a 19.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-7800X (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-7800X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7800X scores 12,963 against the Xeon E5-2685 v3's 12,944 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-7800X. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total) on the Core i7-7800X vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3.

Feature	Core i7-7800X	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	12 / 12+100%
Boost Clock	4 GHz+21%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8.25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+264%
L2 Cache	1 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	12,963	12,944
Cinebench R23 Multi	6,897	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,114	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,951	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7800X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7800X	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Socket	LGA2066	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	28	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-7800X) / not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3).

Feature	Core i7-7800X	Xeon E5-2685 v3
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-7800X was priced at $383, while the Xeon E5-2685 v3 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($383 vs $2090), Core i7-7800X was $1707 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7800X delivers 33.8 pts/$ vs 6.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2685 v3 — making the Core i7-7800X the 138.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-7800X	Xeon E5-2685 v3
MSRP	$383-82%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	33.8+445%	6.2
Release Date	2017	2014

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