Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon X5687

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2022
VS
Intel

Xeon X5687

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.86 GHz2011

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon X5687 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.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon X5687 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 5600 vs Xeon X5687: 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 5600

2022

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +96.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $353 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 1009.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 9.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $552 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5687, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 36 PCIe lanes.

Xeon X5687

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 36 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • βœ…50% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,386 vs 8,600).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.8 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($552 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • ❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Xeon X5687?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5687 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 5600 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 96.5% 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, Ryzen 5 5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 59.7% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $353 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 96.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 1009.9% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 9.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2011), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 5600 vs Xeon X5687 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020βˆ’2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

Xeon X5687

The Xeon X5687 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,386 points. Launch price was $121.

⚑

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 5600 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon X5687 offers 4 cores / 8 threads β€” the Ryzen 5 5600 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus 3.86 GHz on the Xeon X5687 β€” a 13.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the Vermeer (2020βˆ’2025) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon X5687 uses Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600 scores 21,550 against the Xeon X5687's 5,386 β€” a 120% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Geekbench 6 single-core β€” the metric most relevant to gaming β€” records 2,052 vs 1,643, a 22.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,600 vs 5,386 (46% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5687.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon X5687
Cores / Threads
6 / 12+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz+14%
3.86 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)+167%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm-78%
32 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (2020βˆ’2025)
Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011)
PassMark
21,550+300%
5,386
Cinebench R23 Multi
11,077
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
2,052+25%
1,643
Geekbench 6 Multi
8,600+60%
5,386
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon X5687 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5687 β€” the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 140.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon X5687 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB β€” 125% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 3 (Xeon X5687). PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 5600) vs 36 (Xeon X5687) β€” the Xeon X5687 offers 12 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600) and X58 (Xeon X5687).

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon X5687
Socket
AM4
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+100%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+140%
DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
288 GB+125%
RAM Channels
2
3+50%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
36+50%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking β€” a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5687). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop, Xeon X5687 targets Server.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon X5687
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Desktop
Server
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 5600 was priced at $199, while the Xeon X5687 came in at $552. On launch pricing ($199 vs $552), Ryzen 5 5600 was $353 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 5600 delivers 108.3 pts/$ vs 9.8 pts/$ for the Xeon X5687 β€” making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 166.9% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600Xeon X5687
MSRP
$199-64%
$552
Performance per Dollar
108.3+1005%
9.8
Release Date
2022
2011

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