CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1275L v3
Core i5-6600K
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 E3-1275L v3 is positioned at rank 650 and the Core i5-6600K is on rank 662, so the Xeon E3-1275L v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1275L v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($105) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+264%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($29) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($105) |
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 E3-1275L v3 and Core i5-6600K
Xeon E3-1275L v3
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,327 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i5-6600K
The Core i5-6600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 August 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,301 points. Launch price was $242.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-6600K's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600K — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i5-6600K is built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1275L v3 scores 6,327 against the Core i5-6600K's 6,301 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1275L v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1275L v3 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600K.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 3.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.5 GHz+30% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache+33% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | — | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 6,327 | 6,301 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,000 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1150 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E3-1275L v3) / not specified (Core i5-6600K). The Xeon E3-1275L v3 includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics P4600), while the Core i5-6600K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1275L v3 targets Low Power Server. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1275L v3 rivals Xeon E3-1270 v3.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics P4600 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Low Power Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1275L v3 launched at $350 MSRP, while the Core i5-6600K debuted at $242. At current prices ($29 vs $105), the Xeon E3-1275L v3 is $76 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1275L v3 delivers 218.2 pts/$ vs 60.0 pts/$ for the Core i5-6600K — making the Xeon E3-1275L v3 the 113.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1275L v3 | Core i5-6600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $350 | $242-31% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $29-72% | $105 |
| Performance per Dollar | 218.2+264% | 60.0 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2015 |
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