Xeon E5-2689 vs Core i3-10320
Xeon E5-2689
Core i3-10320
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 E5-2689 is positioned at rank #979 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2689
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-10320
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2689 | Core i3-10320 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($18) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-S (2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2689 | Core i3-10320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+674%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($18) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($140) |
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 E5-2689 and Core i3-10320
Xeon E5-2689
The Xeon E5-2689 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,922 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i3-10320
The Core i3-10320 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 April 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-S (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $162.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2689 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Core i3-10320 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2689 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i3-10320 — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Core i3-10320 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2689 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-10320 uses Comet Lake-S (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2689 scores 9,922 against the Core i3-10320's 9,972 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i3-10320. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2689 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10320.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2689 | Core i3-10320 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 8 / 16+100% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.6 GHz+28% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+46% |
| L3 Cache | 20 MB (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) | Comet Lake-S (2020) |
| PassMark | 9,922 | 9,972 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2689 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-10320 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2689 | Core i3-10320 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1200 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2689 launched at $1800 MSRP, while the Core i3-10320 debuted at $154. At current prices ($18 vs $140), the Xeon E5-2689 is $122 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2689 delivers 551.2 pts/$ vs 71.2 pts/$ for the Core i3-10320 — making the Xeon E5-2689 the 154.2% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2689 | Core i3-10320 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1800 | $154-91% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $18-87% | $140 |
| Performance per Dollar | 551.2+674% | 71.2 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2020 |
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