Core i7-8500Y vs Xeon E5620

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 i7-8500Y vs Xeon E5620 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 i7-8500Y vs Xeon E5620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8500Y

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 5W instead of 80W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5620 across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,590 vs 3,621).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5620, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon E5620

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 29 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

❌1500% higher power demand at 80W vs 5W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5620 better than Core i7-8500Y?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8500Y 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 E5620 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.7% more average FPS across 29 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5620 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E5620 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5620 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 29 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-8500Y vs Xeon E5620 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8500Y

The Core i7-8500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 August 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,590 points. Launch price was $393.

Xeon E5620

The Xeon E5620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.66 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,621 points. Launch price was $35.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8500Y packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5620 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5620 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8500Y versus 2.66 GHz on the Xeon E5620 — a 44.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-8500Y (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-8500Y uses the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5620 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8500Y scores 3,590 against the Xeon E5620's 3,621 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5620. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-8500Y vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E5620.

Feature	Core i7-8500Y	Xeon E5620
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+58%	2.66 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.4 GHz+60%
L3 Cache	4 MB	12 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,590	3,621

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8500Y uses the FCBGA1515 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5620 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.