CPU
GPU
Xeon X5680
Xeon E5-1620 v3
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 Xeon E5-1620 v3 is on rank 577, so the Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 Xeon E5-1620 v3
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($13) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1344%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($13) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) |
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 Xeon E5-1620 v3
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.
Xeon E5-1620 v3
The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5680 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5680 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon X5680 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon X5680 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5680 scores 6,910 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5680 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz | 3.5 GHz+5% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+20% | 10 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Haswell-EP (2014−2015) |
| PassMark | 6,910 | 6,959 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5680 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5680 versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5680) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5680) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-1620 v3).
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 768 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3 | 4+33% |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 40 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5680) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3). Primary use case: Xeon X5680 targets Workstation, Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server. Direct competitor: Xeon X5680 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | Yes |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Workstation | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5680 launched at $450 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 debuted at $294. At current prices ($13 vs $189), the Xeon X5680 is $176 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5680 delivers 531.5 pts/$ vs 36.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — making the Xeon X5680 the 174.1% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5680 | Xeon E5-1620 v3 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $450 | $294-35% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $13-93% | $189 |
| Performance per Dollar | 531.5+1344% | 36.8 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2014 |
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