Xeon D-1541 vs Core i5-8600K

Xeon D-1541

8 Cores16 Thrd45 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2015

Core i5-8600K

6 Cores6 Thrd95 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon D-1541

8 / 16

9,996

0.0%

10,134

+1.4%

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.

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. The Xeon D-1541 is positioned at rank 261 and the Core i5-8600K is on rank 501, so the Xeon D-1541 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar Xeon D-1541

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

4158%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

785%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

698%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

539%

#219

Xeon D-1733NT

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

99%

#220

Xeon 6520P

MSRP: $1295|Avg: $1295

99%

#221

Xeon Gold 6314U

MSRP: $2977|Avg: N/A

98%

#222

Xeon E-2478

MSRP: $568|Avg: $269

98%

#261

Xeon D-1541

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8600K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

7906%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

7470%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

5424%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

1634%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1294%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1132%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

648%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

640%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

583%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

583%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

576%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

561%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

553%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

551%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

546%

#256

Ryzen 7 1700X

MSRP: $399|Avg: $60

99%

#371

Core 5 120UL

MSRP: $277|Avg: $270

99%

#372

Ryzen Embedded V3C14

MSRP: $305|Avg: $305

99%

#373

Core i7-9700T

MSRP: $323|Avg: $276

98%

#501

Core i5-8600K

MSRP: $257|Avg: $100

100%

#506

Athlon II X4 651

MSRP: $92|Avg: $92

99%

#511

Athlon X4 880K

MSRP: $95|Avg: $25

97%

#515

Athlon X4 870K

MSRP: $90|Avg: $35

97%

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 Core i5-8600K (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon D-1541	Core i5-8600K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon D-1541 (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4, DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon D-1541	Core i5-8600K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($100)

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.

Xeon D-1541 Benchmark Check

Core i5-8600K Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon D-1541 and Core i5-8600K

Xeon D-1541

The Xeon D-1541 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 November 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,996 points. Launch price was $581.

Core i5-8600K

The Core i5-8600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,134 points. Launch price was $257.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon D-1541 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-8600K offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon D-1541 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon D-1541 versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K — a 45.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-8600K (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon D-1541 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-8600K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1541 scores 9,996 against the Core i5-8600K's 10,134 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i5-8600K. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1541 vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600K.

Feature	Xeon D-1541	Core i5-8600K
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 6
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	4.3 GHz+59%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+71%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	9 MB (total)+500%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,996	10,134+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,550

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1541 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-8600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1541	Core i5-8600K
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon D-1541) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K). The Core i5-8600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon D-1541 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.