Xeon E5-1620 v3 vs Xeon X5680
Xeon E5-1620 v3
Xeon X5680
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 E5-1620 v3 is positioned at rank 577 and the Xeon X5680 is on rank 704, so the Xeon E5-1620 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 E5-1620 v3
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5680
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ More affordable ($13) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1344%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ More affordable ($13) |
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 E5-1620 v3 and Xeon X5680
Xeon E5-1620 v3
The Xeon E5-1620 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.
Xeon X5680
The Xeon X5680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (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: 6,910 points. Launch price was $172.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-1620 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5680 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5680 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5680 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1620 v3 scores 6,959 against the Xeon X5680's 6,910 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5680.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.5 GHz+5% | 3.33 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 10 MB (total) | 12 MB (total)+20% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 6,959 | 6,910 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5680 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5680 — the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-1620 v3) vs 3 (Xeon X5680). Chipset compatibility: Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-1620 v3) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5680).
| Feature | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+50% | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4+33% | 3 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 | — |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5680). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server, Xeon X5680 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5680 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | Yes | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Server | Workstation |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-1620 v3 launched at $294 MSRP, while the Xeon X5680 debuted at $450. At current prices ($189 vs $13), the Xeon X5680 is $176 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1620 v3 delivers 36.8 pts/$ vs 531.5 pts/$ for the Xeon X5680 — making the Xeon X5680 the 174.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-1620 v3 | Xeon X5680 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $294-35% | $450 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $189 | $13-93% |
| Performance per Dollar | 36.8 | 531.5+1344% |
| Release Date | 2014 | 2010 |
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