Xeon E5-2603 v4
VS
Pentium Gold G6605

Xeon E5-2603 v4 vs Pentium Gold G6605

Intel

Xeon E5-2603 v4

6 Cores6 Thrd85 WWMax: 1.7 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Pentium Gold G6605

2 Cores4 Thrd58 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2021

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. The Xeon E5-2603 v4 is positioned at rank #589 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2603 v4

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
9200%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
1737%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
1543%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1192%
#354
EPYC 7502P
MSRP: $2300|Avg: $1299
99%
#355
Xeon w7-3455
MSRP: $2489|Avg: $2625
98%
#356
EPYC 9334
MSRP: $2990|Avg: $1810
97%
#357
Xeon w9-3575X
MSRP: $3789|Avg: $675
96%
#358
Xeon w7-3465X
MSRP: $2889|Avg: $468
96%
#359
Xeon Gold 6530
MSRP: $2128|Avg: $1846
96%
#359
EPYC 9354
MSRP: $3420|Avg: $2498
96%
#361
Xeon Silver 4114
MSRP: $612|Avg: $30
95%
#589
Xeon E5-2603 v4
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#590
Xeon W-2125
MSRP: $444|Avg: $42
100%
#592
EPYC 7261
MSRP: $501|Avg: $8
98%
#594
Xeon E5-1620 v2
MSRP: $294|Avg: $50
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Gold G6605 (2021) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2666, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E5-2603 v4Pentium Gold G6605
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm)
✨ Modern (Comet Lake-R (2021) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2603 v4 (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E5-2603 v4Pentium Gold G6605
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 Pentium Gold G6605

Intel

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.

Intel

Pentium Gold G6605

The Pentium Gold G6605 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 58 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 4,488 points. Launch price was $86.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2603 v4 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Pentium Gold G6605 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 versus 4.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold G6605 — a 86.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G6605 (base: 1.7 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses Comet Lake-R (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2603 v4 scores 4,517 against the Pentium Gold G6605's 4,488 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v4. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G6605.

FeatureXeon E5-2603 v4Pentium Gold G6605
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+200%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
1.7 GHz
4.3 GHz+153%
Base Clock
1.7 GHz
4.3 GHz+153%
L3 Cache
15 MB+275%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1.5 MB+500%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Broadwell (2015−2019)
Comet Lake-R (2021)
PassMark
4,517
4,488
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Pentium Gold G6605 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-2603 v4Pentium Gold G6605
Socket
LGA2011
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0