Xeon E5-2658
VS
Core i7-8650U

Xeon E5-2658 vs Core i7-8650U

Intel

Xeon E5-2658

8 Cores16 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.4 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i7-8650U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

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 E5-2658 is positioned at rank 699 and the Core i7-8650U is on rank 904, so the Xeon E5-2658 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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 E5-2658

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
13339%
#1
Core i9-9990XE
MSRP: $2000|Avg: N/A
97%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
2519%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
2238%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1729%
#410
Xeon W-3175X
MSRP: $2999|Avg: $2999
99%
#411
Xeon w9-3495X
MSRP: $5889|Avg: $6333
99%
#412
Xeon Gold 5320T
MSRP: $1977|Avg: $1379
98%
#413
EPYC 7643
MSRP: $4995|Avg: $2750
98%
#414
Xeon Gold 6330N
MSRP: $2389|Avg: $1798
98%
#415
EPYC 7473X
MSRP: $3900|Avg: $200
98%
#416
Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX
MSRP: $5489|Avg: $3486
97%
#699
Xeon E5-2658
MSRP: $400|Avg: $400
100%
#703
Xeon E5-2630
MSRP: $395|Avg: $395
99%
#705
Xeon X5680
MSRP: $450|Avg: $13
99%
#708
Pentium 1403 v2
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8650U

#891
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1563%
#892
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1540%
#893
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1414%
#894
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1408%
#895
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1395%
#897
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1347%
#898
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1291%
#899
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1289%
#900
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1255%
#903
Core i7-8809G
MSRP: $450|Avg: $450
100%
#904
Core i7-8650U
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#910
Core i7-6820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
99%
#911
Athlon II Neo K325
MSRP: $60|Avg: $25
99%
#918
Core i5-8365UE
MSRP: $297|Avg: $297
97%
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 Core i7-8650U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightXeon E5-2658Core i7-8650U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($400)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm)
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2658 (2012) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightXeon E5-2658Core i7-8650U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($400)
More affordable ($0)

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 E5-2658 and Core i7-8650U

Intel

Xeon E5-2658

The Xeon E5-2658 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,232 points. Launch price was $1,462.

Intel

Core i7-8650U

The Core i7-8650U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,194 points. Launch price was $409.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2658 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i7-8650U offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 versus 4.2 GHz on the Core i7-8650U — a 54.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8650U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-2658 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-8650U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2658 scores 6,232 against the Core i7-8650U's 6,194 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2658. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2658 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8650U.

FeatureXeon E5-2658Core i7-8650U
Cores / Threads
8 / 16+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
2.4 GHz
4.2 GHz+75%
Base Clock
2.1 GHz+11%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
20480 kB (total)+150%
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
14 nm-56%
Architecture
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark
6,232
6,194
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2658 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-8650U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-2658Core i7-8650U
Socket
LGA2011
BGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+67%
PCIe 3.0