CPU
GPU
Xeon E5-2687W
Core i5-8600K
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 E5-2687W is positioned at rank 982 and the Core i5-8600K is on rank 501, so the Core i5-8600K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2687W
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8600K
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($70) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+41%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($70) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) |
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 E5-2687W and Core i5-8600K
Xeon E5-2687W
The Xeon E5-2687W 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.
Core i5-8600K
The Core i5-8600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,134 points. Launch price was $257.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2687W packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i5-8600K offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W versus 4.3 GHz on the Core i5-8600K — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-8600K (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2687W uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-8600K uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2687W scores 10,036 against the Core i5-8600K's 10,134 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-8600K. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8600K.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+33% | 6 / 6 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.3 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.6 GHz+16% |
| L3 Cache | 20480 kB (total)+122% | 9 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) |
| PassMark | 10,036 | 10,134 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 1,550 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2687W uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-8600K uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | DDR4-2666 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2687W) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8600K). The Core i5-8600K includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2687W requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8600K targets Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8600K rivals Ryzen 5 2600X.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Gaming Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2687W launched at $1885 MSRP, while the Core i5-8600K debuted at $257. At current prices ($70 vs $100), the Xeon E5-2687W is $30 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2687W delivers 143.4 pts/$ vs 101.3 pts/$ for the Core i5-8600K — making the Xeon E5-2687W the 34.4% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2687W | Core i5-8600K |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1885 | $257-86% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $70-30% | $100 |
| Performance per Dollar | 143.4+42% | 101.3 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2017 |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E5-2687W and Core i5-8600K
