Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs Core i5-6442EQ
Xeon E5-1603 v3
Core i5-6442EQ
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 E5-1603 v3 is positioned at rank 683 and the Core i5-6442EQ is on rank 843, so the Xeon E5-1603 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 E5-1603 v3
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6442EQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-6442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-6442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+522%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($40) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) |
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 E5-1603 v3 and Core i5-6442EQ
Xeon E5-1603 v3
The Xeon E5-1603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,460 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i5-6442EQ
The Core i5-6442EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 4,483 points. Launch price was $250.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E5-1603 v3 and Core i5-6442EQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-6442EQ — a 38.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1603 v3. The Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6442EQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1603 v3 scores 4,460 against the Core i5-6442EQ's 4,483 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-6442EQ. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6442EQ.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-6442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+47% | 1.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 10 MB (total)+67% | 6 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1 MB+300% |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) | Skylake (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 4,460 | 4,483 |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-1603 v3 launched at $273 MSRP, while the Core i5-6442EQ debuted at $250. At current prices ($40 vs $250), the Xeon E5-1603 v3 is $210 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1603 v3 delivers 111.5 pts/$ vs 17.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-6442EQ — making the Xeon E5-1603 v3 the 144.6% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1603 v3 | Core i5-6442EQ |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $273 | $250-8% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $40-84% | $250 |
| Performance per Dollar | 111.5+523% | 17.9 |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2015 |
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