Xeon X5550 vs Core i7-5600U

Xeon X5550

4 Cores8 Thrd95 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2009

Core i7-5600U

2 Cores4 Thrd512 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon X5550

4 / 8

3,036

+0.8%

3,011

0.0%

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 X5550 is positioned at rank 712 and the Core i7-5600U is on rank 341, so the Core i7-5600U 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 X5550

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

13691%

Core i9-9990XE

MSRP: $2000|Avg: N/A

99%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2585%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2297%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1774%

#416

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

MSRP: $5489|Avg: $3486

100%

#417

EPYC 9474F

MSRP: $6780|Avg: $3723

99%

#418

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX

MSRP: $11699|Avg: $11699

99%

#419

Xeon 6736P

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $3351

98%

#420

EPYC 9655P

MSRP: $10811|Avg: $7958

98%

#421

EPYC 9554P

MSRP: $7104|Avg: $3052

97%

#712

Xeon X5550

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#717

Xeon E5-4655 v3

MSRP: $623|Avg: $150

99%

#718

Xeon E3-1220 v6

MSRP: $372|Avg: $80

99%

#719

Xeon E5-2623 v3

MSRP: $444|Avg: $50

99%

#722

Xeon E5-2620

MSRP: $360|Avg: $89

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5600U

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

97%

#102

Core i3-1220P

MSRP: $250|Avg: $150

96%

#329

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

487%

#330

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

480%

#331

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

441%

#332

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

439%

#333

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

435%

#335

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

420%

#336

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

403%

#337

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

402%

#338

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

391%

#341

Core i7-5600U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

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 i7-5600U (2015) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon X5550	Core i7-5600U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-U (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon X5550 (2009) relies on 45 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon X5550	Core i7-5600U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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.

Xeon X5550 Benchmark Check

Core i7-5600U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon X5550 and Core i7-5600U

Xeon X5550

The Xeon X5550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 March 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,036 points. Launch price was $62.

Core i7-5600U

The Core i7-5600U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-U (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,011 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon X5550 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-5600U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon X5550 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Xeon X5550 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-5600U — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-5600U (base: 2.66 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon X5550 uses the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-5600U uses Broadwell-U (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5550 scores 3,036 against the Core i7-5600U's 3,011 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon X5550. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon X5550 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-5600U.

Feature	Xeon X5550	Core i7-5600U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.06 GHz	3.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.66 GHz+2%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Gainestown (2009−2010)	Broadwell-U (2015)
PassMark	3,036	3,011

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon X5550 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-5600U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon X5550	Core i7-5600U
Socket	LGA1366	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
RAM Channels	3	—
ECC Support	✅	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5550) / not specified (Core i7-5600U). Primary use case: Xeon X5550 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5550 rivals Core i3-2100.