Pentium Gold G6605 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4

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 Gold G6605 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4 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 Gold G6605 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold G6605

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 58W instead of 85W, a 27W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,488 vs 4,517).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2603 v4, which brings 6 cores / 6 threads.

Xeon E5-2603 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅+275% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 6 threads.

Trade-offs

❌46.6% higher power demand at 85W vs 58W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G6605 better than Xeon E5-2603 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2603 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold G6605 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2603 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 275% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Pentium Gold G6605 still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold G6605 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold G6605 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Gold G6605 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

Xeon E5-2603 v4

The Xeon E5-2603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Gold G6605 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 — a 86.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605 (base: 4.3 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Pentium Gold G6605 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Gold G6605 scores 4,488 against the Xeon E5-2603 v4's 4,517 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v4. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6605 vs 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4.

Feature	Pentium Gold G6605	Xeon E5-2603 v4
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	6 / 6+200%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+153%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	4.3 GHz+153%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	15 MB+275%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.5 MB+500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	4,488	4,517

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold G6605 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.