Pentium G4600 vs Xeon W3580

Intel

Pentium G4600

2 Cores4 Thrd51 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017
VS
Intel

Xeon W3580

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2009

Pentium G4600 vs Xeon W3580 Performance Spectrum

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.

Pentium G4600 vs Xeon W3580 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.

Pentium G4600 vs Xeon W3580: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium G4600

2017

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $212 less on MSRP ($82 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 257.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.3 vs 12.4 PassMark/$ ($82 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 51W instead of 130W, a 79W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W3580 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (3,629 vs 3,638).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon W3580, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads.

Xeon W3580

2009

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +7.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.4 vs 44.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $82 MSRP).
  • ❌154.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 51W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W3580 better than Pentium G4600?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon W3580 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium G4600 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 W3580 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.4% 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 W3580 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon W3580 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Xeon W3580 comes in 258.5% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $82 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium G4600 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 257.6% better value on paper (44.3 vs 12.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Pentium G4600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium G4600 vs Xeon W3580 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Pentium G4600

The Pentium G4600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 51 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,629 points. Launch price was $87.

Intel

Xeon W3580

The Xeon W3580 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 3,638 points. Launch price was $215.

⚑

Processing Power

The Pentium G4600 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon W3580 offers 4 cores / 8 threads β€” the Xeon W3580 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Pentium G4600 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W3580 β€” identical boost frequencies (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Pentium G4600 uses the Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W3580 uses Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium G4600 scores 3,629 against the Xeon W3580's 3,638 β€” a 0.2% lead for the Xeon W3580. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G4600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W3580.

FeaturePentium G4600Xeon W3580
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.6 GHz+8%
3.33 GHz
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Kaby Lake (2016βˆ’2019)
Bloomfield (2008βˆ’2010)
PassMark
3,629
3,638
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium G4600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W3580 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium G4600Xeon W3580
Socket
LGA1151
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Pentium G4600 was priced at $82, while the Xeon W3580 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($82 vs $294), Pentium G4600 was $212 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Pentium G4600 delivers 44.3 pts/$ vs 12.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W3580 β€” making the Pentium G4600 the 112.6% better value option.

FeaturePentium G4600Xeon W3580
MSRP
$82-72%
$294
Performance per Dollar
44.3+257%
12.4
Release Date
2017
2009

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