Core i7-7820HK vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-7820HK vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-7820HK vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-7820HK

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $788 less on MSRP ($378 MSRP vs $1,166 MSRP).
✅Delivers 210.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 19.6 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($378 MSRP vs $1,166 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1620 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,338 vs 7,397).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 19.6 PassMark/$ ($1,166 MSRP vs $378 MSRP).
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820HK better than Xeon E5-1620 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7820HK 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 i7-7820HK is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7820HK is the better buy right now. Core i7-7820HK comes in $788 cheaper on MSRP at $378 MSRP versus $1,166 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1620 v4 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 210.9% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7820HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7820HK vs Xeon E5-1620 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7820HK

The Core i7-7820HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,397 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E5-1620 v4

The Xeon E5-1620 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,338 points. Launch price was $294.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7820HK and Xeon E5-1620 v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7820HK versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v4 — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820HK (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-7820HK uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7820HK scores 7,397 against the Xeon E5-1620 v4's 7,338 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-7820HK. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820HK vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v4.

Feature	Core i7-7820HK	Xeon E5-1620 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.5 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	7,397	7,338

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7820HK uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7820HK	Xeon E5-1620 v4
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-7820HK was priced at $378, while the Xeon E5-1620 v4 came in at $1166. On launch pricing ($378 vs $1166), Core i7-7820HK was $788 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7820HK delivers 19.6 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v4 — making the Core i7-7820HK the 102.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-7820HK	Xeon E5-1620 v4
MSRP	$378-68%	$1166
Performance per Dollar	19.6+211%	6.3
Release Date	2017	2016

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