Ryzen 5 1600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2

Ryzen 5 1600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 1600

6 / 12

12,261

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5955WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5965WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E5-2687W v2

8 / 16

12,301

+0.3%

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.

Ryzen 5 1600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 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.

Ryzen 5 1600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Ryzen 5 1600

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,893 less on MSRP ($219 MSRP vs $2,112 MSRP).
✅Delivers 861.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 56.0 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $2,112 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 150W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,261 vs 12,301).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2687W v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2687W v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.8 vs 56.0 PassMark/$ ($2,112 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
❌130.8% higher power demand at 150W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W v2 better than Ryzen 5 1600?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2687W v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 1600 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 E5-2687W v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.5% 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 E5-2687W v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2687W v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Ryzen 5 1600 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2687W v2 comes in 864.4% more expensive on MSRP at $2,112 MSRP versus $219 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 1600 is also 861.2% better value on MSRP (56.0 vs 5.8 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 1600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 1600 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 1600

The Ryzen 5 1600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,261 points. Launch price was $219.

Xeon E5-2687W v2

The Xeon E5-2687W v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,301 points. Launch price was $1,605.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 1600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1600 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v2 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v2 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1600 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1600 scores 12,261 against the Xeon E5-2687W v2's 12,301 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W v2. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1600 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v2.

Feature	Ryzen 5 1600	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Zen 2 (2017−2020)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,261	12,301

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 1600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 1600	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Socket	AM4	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1600 was priced at $219, while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 came in at $2112. On launch pricing ($219 vs $2112), Ryzen 5 1600 was $1893 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1600 delivers 56.0 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W v2 — making the Ryzen 5 1600 the 162.3% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 1600	Xeon E5-2687W v2
MSRP	$219-90%	$2112
Performance per Dollar	56.0+866%	5.8
Release Date	2017	2013

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