Pentium Silver N5000 vs Xeon E5606

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 Silver N5000 vs Xeon E5606 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 Silver N5000 vs Xeon E5606: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Silver N5000

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 80W, a 74W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5606 across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,442 vs 2,443).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E5606

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 9 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌1233.3% higher power demand at 80W vs 6W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5606 better than Pentium Silver N5000?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5606 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Silver N5000 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 E5606 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.6% more average FPS across 9 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5606 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Xeon E5606 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5606 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.6% average FPS lead across 9 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Silver N5000 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Pentium Silver N5000 vs Xeon E5606 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Silver N5000

The Pentium Silver N5000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,442 points. Launch price was $161.

Xeon E5606

The Xeon E5606 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 0.13 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,443 points. Launch price was $46.

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Processing Power

Both the Pentium Silver N5000 and Xeon E5606 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5000 versus 0.13 GHz on the Xeon E5606 — a 181.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N5000 (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Pentium Silver N5000 uses the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5606 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Silver N5000 scores 2,442 against the Xeon E5606's 2,443 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5606. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Pentium Silver N5000 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E5606.

Feature	Pentium Silver N5000	Xeon E5606
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz+1977%	0.13 GHz
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.13 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	4 MB	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont Plus (2017)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,442	2,443

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Silver N5000 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5606 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.