Core i7-880 vs Xeon X5698

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 X5698 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 X5698: 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

✅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 X5698.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,429 vs 3,447).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Xeon X5698 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X5698

2011

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i7-880.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5698 better than Core i7-880?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5698 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon X5698 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon X5698 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon X5698 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon X5698 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-880 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (5.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1156.

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

Xeon X5698 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2010), 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 X5698 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 X5698

The Xeon X5698 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,447 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-880 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5698 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-880 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-880 versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon X5698 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Xeon X5698 (base: 3.06 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i7-880 uses the Lynnfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon X5698 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-880 scores 3,429 against the Xeon X5698's 3,447 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon X5698. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-880 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5698.

Feature	Core i7-880	Xeon X5698
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz	4.4 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz	4.4 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Lynnfield (2009−2010)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,429	3,447
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 X5698 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-880) vs 3 (Xeon X5698). Chipset compatibility: P55,H55,H57,Q57 (Core i7-880) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5698).

Feature	Core i7-880	Xeon X5698
Socket	LGA1156	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i7-880) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5698). Primary use case: Xeon X5698 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5698 rivals Core i7-980X.