Core i7-8850H vs Xeon E5-2687W

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 i7-8850H vs Xeon E5-2687W 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 i7-8850H vs Xeon E5-2687W: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-8850H

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 150W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2687W

2012

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8850H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (10,036 vs 10,074).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,885 MSRP, while Core i7-8850H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌233.3% higher power demand at 150W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8850H better than Xeon E5-2687W?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2687W makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-8850H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8850H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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, Core i7-8850H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-8850H is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2687W is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-8850H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2687W is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-8850H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-8850H vs Xeon E5-2687W Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-8850H

The Core i7-8850H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 12 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: 10,074 points. Launch price was $395.

Xeon E5-2687W

The Xeon E5-2687W is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-8850H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i7-8850H versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8850H (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-8850H uses the Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-8850H scores 10,074 against the Xeon E5-2687W's 10,036 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-8850H. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-8850H vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W.

Feature	Core i7-8850H	Xeon E5-2687W
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+13%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.1 GHz+19%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-H (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	10,074	10,036

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-8850H uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.