Xeon E5-2603 v4 vs Core 2 Extreme QX9770
Xeon E5-2603 v4
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
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 E5-2603 v4 is positioned at rank 589 and the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is on rank 1088, so the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2603 v4
Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Extreme QX9770
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Yorkfield (2007−2009) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,399) |
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 E5-2603 v4 and Core 2 Extreme QX9770
Xeon E5-2603 v4
The Xeon E5-2603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $213.
Core 2 Extreme QX9770
The Core 2 Extreme QX9770 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Yorkfield (2007−2009) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 12 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 136 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,611 points. Launch price was $249.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2603 v4 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 — a 61.2% clock advantage for the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses Yorkfield (2007−2009) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2603 v4 scores 4,517 against the Core 2 Extreme QX9770's 4,611 — a 2.1% lead for the Core 2 Extreme QX9770. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 vs 0 kB on the Core 2 Extreme QX9770.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 6+50% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 1.7 GHz | 3.2 GHz+88% |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | 3.2 GHz+88% |
| L3 Cache | 15 MB | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 1.5 MB | 12 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 14 nm-69% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Yorkfield (2007−2009) |
| PassMark | 4,517 | 4,611+2% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 2,200 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 451 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,583 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core 2 Extreme QX9770 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA775 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0+173% | PCIe 1.1 |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 16 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2603 v4) / VT-x (Core 2 Extreme QX9770). Primary use case: Core 2 Extreme QX9770 targets Enthusiast.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2603 v4 | Core 2 Extreme QX9770 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Enthusiast |
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