Core i7-880 vs Xeon E5-1603

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 i7-880 vs Xeon E5-1603 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 i7-880 vs Xeon E5-1603: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-880

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-1603.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,429 vs 3,482).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Xeon E5-1603 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-1603

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.5% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-880 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-880.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-880 better than Xeon E5-1603?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1603 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-880 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, Xeon E5-1603 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-880 is the better buy right now. Core i7-880 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $583 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1603 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.5% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-1603 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010), 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-880 vs Xeon E5-1603 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-880

The Core i7-880 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,429 points. Launch price was $583.

Xeon E5-1603

The Xeon E5-1603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 3,482 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-880 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1603's 4 cores. The Core i7-880 is built on the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-880 scores 3,429 against the Xeon E5-1603's 3,482 — a 1.5% lead for the Xeon E5-1603. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880 vs 10 MB on the Xeon E5-1603.

Feature	Core i7-880	Xeon E5-1603
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz	—
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+9%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10 MB+25%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	—
PassMark	3,429	3,482+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	507	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,478	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-880 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1603 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.