Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs Core i5-6500
Xeon E3-1220 v6
Core i5-6500
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 E3-1220 v6 is positioned at rank 718 and the Core i5-6500 is on rank 715, so the Core i5-6500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v6
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220 v6 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($123) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1220 v6 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+53%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($80) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($123) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Core i5-6500
Xeon E3-1220 v6
The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.
Core i5-6500
The Core i5-6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,600 points. Launch price was $192.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Core i5-6500 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-6500 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-6500 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-6500 uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v6 scores 5,589 against the Core i5-6500's 5,600 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-6500. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6500.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v6 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 3.6 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 3 GHz | 3.2 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,589 | 5,600 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1151 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v6 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1151 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1220 v6 launched at $372 MSRP, while the Core i5-6500 debuted at $239. At current prices ($80 vs $123), the Xeon E3-1220 v6 is $43 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1220 v6 delivers 69.9 pts/$ vs 45.5 pts/$ for the Core i5-6500 — making the Xeon E3-1220 v6 the 42.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1220 v6 | Core i5-6500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $372 | $239-36% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $80-35% | $123 |
| Performance per Dollar | 69.9+54% | 45.5 |
| Release Date | 2017 | 2015 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Core i5-6500
