Core i7-965 vs Xeon W5580
Core i7-965
Xeon W5580
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-965 is positioned at rank 1086 and the Xeon W5580 is on rank 657, so the Xeon W5580 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-965
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W5580
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-965 | Xeon W5580 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-965 | Xeon W5580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($40) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-965 and Xeon W5580
Core i7-965
The Core i7-965 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,424 points. Launch price was $1,509.
Xeon W5580
The Xeon W5580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,459 points. Launch price was $102.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-965 and Xeon W5580 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-965 versus 3.46 GHz on the Xeon W5580 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-965 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon W5580 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-965 scores 3,424 against the Xeon W5580's 3,459 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W5580. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-965 | Xeon W5580 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.46 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,424 | 3,459+1% |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Core i7-965 | Xeon W5580 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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