Xeon E5-1603 vs Xeon X5698

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.

Xeon E5-1603 vs Xeon X5698 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.

Xeon E5-1603 vs Xeon X5698: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E5-1603

2012

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5698 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).

Xeon X5698

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,447 vs 3,482).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1603 better than Xeon X5698?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5698 is ahead with a 3.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1603 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Xeon X5698 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1603 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-1603 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-1603 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-1603 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1603 vs Xeon X5698 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1603

The Xeon E5-1603 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 3,482 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon X5698

The Xeon X5698 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 3,447 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1603 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon X5698 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-1603 has 2 more cores. The Xeon X5698 is built on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1603 scores 3,482 against the Xeon X5698's 3,447 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-1603. L3 cache: 10 MB on the Xeon E5-1603 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5698.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603	Xeon X5698
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	—	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	4.4 GHz+57%
L3 Cache	10 MB	12288 kB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	—	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	3,482+1%	3,447

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1603 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5698 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603	Xeon X5698
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1603) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5698). Primary use case: Xeon X5698 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5698 rivals Core i7-980X.