Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs Core i5-1235U
Xeon E5-2680 v2
Core i5-1235U
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 E5-2680 v2 is positioned at rank 636 and the Core i5-1235U is on rank 171, so the Core i5-1235U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v2
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-1235U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 E5-2680 v2 and Core i5-1235U
Xeon E5-2680 v2
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,707 points. Launch price was $1,260.
Core i5-1235U
The Core i5-1235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 10 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,740 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core i5-1235U's 10 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i5-1235U — a 20% clock advantage for the Core i5-1235U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-1235U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 v2 scores 12,707 against the Core i5-1235U's 12,740 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-1235U. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i5-1235U.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 10 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.4 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+115% | 1.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+108% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 22 nm | Intel 7 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) | Alder Lake-U (2022) |
| PassMark | 12,707 | 12,740 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,095 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-1235U uses FCBGA1744 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i5-1235U — the Core i5-1235U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 2 (Core i5-1235U). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 20 (Core i5-1235U) — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | FCBGA1744 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | LPDDR5-5200+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+1100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+100% | 20 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2680 v2) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1235U). The Core i5-1235U includes integrated graphics (Iris Xe Graphics 80EU), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1235U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1235U rivals Ryzen 5 6600U.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i5-1235U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Iris Xe Graphics 80EU |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Mainstream Laptop |
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