CPU
GPU
Xeon X5680
Core i7-7700HQ
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 X5680 is positioned at rank 704 and the Core i7-7700HQ is on rank 493, so the Core i7-7700HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5680
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7700HQ
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5680 | Core i7-7700HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($13) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5680 | Core i7-7700HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($13) | ✅ 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 X5680 and Core i7-7700HQ
Xeon X5680
The Xeon X5680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,910 points. Launch price was $172.
Core i7-7700HQ
The Core i7-7700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,880 points. Launch price was $378.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5680 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-7700HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5680 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700HQ (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon X5680 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5680 scores 6,910 against the Core i7-7700HQ's 6,880 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon X5680. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5680 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700HQ.
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Core i7-7700HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.8 GHz+6% |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz+19% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+100% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Kaby Lake-H (2017) |
| PassMark | 6,910 | 6,880 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5680 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5680 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7700HQ — the Core i7-7700HQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5680) vs 2 (Core i7-7700HQ). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5680) and BGA1440 (Core i7-7700HQ).
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Core i7-7700HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5680) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7700HQ). The Core i7-7700HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon X5680 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5680 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5680 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Core i7-7700HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
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