Pentium Gold G5600T 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.

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.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1603

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

11937%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2254%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2002%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1547%

#386

Xeon w9-3475X

MSRP: $3739|Avg: $3930

100%

#388

EPYC 9254

MSRP: $3761|Avg: $1099

98%

#389

Xeon Gold 5220R

MSRP: $1780|Avg: $1015

98%

#390

EPYC 9555P

MSRP: $7983|Avg: $6130

97%

#391

Xeon Gold 5218

MSRP: $1273|Avg: $500

97%

#392

EPYC 9374F

MSRP: $4850|Avg: $3466

97%

#393

Xeon Gold 6448Y

MSRP: $3583|Avg: N/A

97%

#394

EPYC 9454

MSRP: $5225|Avg: $576

97%

#655

Xeon E5-1603

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#669

Xeon E5645

MSRP: $294|Avg: N/A

97%

#670

Xeon X5672

MSRP: $300|Avg: $44

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold G5600T (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Gold G5600T	Xeon E5-1603
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-1603 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Gold G5600T	Xeon E5-1603
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Pentium Gold G5600T Benchmark Check

Xeon E5-1603 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Gold G5600T and Xeon E5-1603

Pentium Gold G5600T

The Pentium Gold G5600T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,496 points. Launch price was $75.

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 Pentium Gold G5600T packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-1603 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-1603 has 2 more cores. The Pentium Gold G5600T is built on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G5600T scores 3,496 against the Xeon E5-1603's 3,482 — a 0.4% lead for the Pentium Gold G5600T. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Gold G5600T vs 10 MB on the Xeon E5-1603.

Feature	Pentium Gold G5600T	Xeon E5-1603
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	—
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+18%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	10 MB+150%
L2 Cache	512 kB	—
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	—
PassMark	3,496	3,482

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G5600T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1603 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Gold G5600T	Xeon E5-1603
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x (Pentium Gold G5600T) / not specified (Xeon E5-1603). The Pentium Gold G5600T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1603 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Gold G5600T targets Low Power.