Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs Core i7-8700
Xeon E5-2680 v2
Core i7-8700
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 i7-8700 is on rank 483, so the Core i7-8700 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 i7-8700
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+321%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($110) |
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 i7-8700
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 i7-8700
The Core i7-8700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB. L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,747 points. Launch price was $303.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core i7-8700 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8700 — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-8700 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8700 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 v2 scores 12,707 against the Core i7-8700's 12,747 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8700. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs 12288 kB on the Core i7-8700.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20+67% | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.6 GHz+28% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3.2 GHz+14% |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+108% | 12288 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 12,707 | 12,747 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 7,969 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,535 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 6,200 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8700 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-8700 — the Core i7-8700 supports 28.6% 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 128 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 2 (Core i7-8700). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 16 (Core i7-8700) — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) and 300-series (Core i7-8700).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | DDR4-2666+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+500% | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2680 v2) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-8700). The Core i7-8700 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-8700 targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-8700 rivals Ryzen 5 2600.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Gaming |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 launched at $667 MSRP, while the Core i7-8700 debuted at $303. At current prices ($462 vs $110), the Core i7-8700 is $352 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2680 v2 delivers 27.5 pts/$ vs 115.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-8700 — making the Core i7-8700 the 123.3% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core i7-8700 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $667 | $303-55% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $462 | $110-76% |
| Performance per Dollar | 27.5 | 115.9+321% |
| Release Date | 2013 | 2017 |
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