Xeon X5687 vs Core i7-2600
Xeon X5687
Core i7-2600
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 X5687 is positioned at rank 877 and the Core i7-2600 is on rank 835, so the Core i7-2600 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5687
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+275%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ More affordable ($50) |
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 X5687 and Core i7-2600
Xeon X5687
The Xeon X5687 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.86 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: 5,386 points. Launch price was $121.
Core i7-2600
The Core i7-2600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,346 points. Launch price was $247.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon X5687 and Core i7-2600 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Xeon X5687 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600 — a 1.6% clock advantage for the Xeon X5687 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon X5687 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-2600 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5687 scores 5,386 against the Core i7-2600's 5,346 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon X5687. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,643 vs 659, a 85.5% lead for the Xeon X5687 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,386 vs 2,169 (85.2% advantage for the Xeon X5687). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5687 vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.86 GHz+2% | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+6% | 3.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+50% | 8192 kB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,386 | 5,346 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 3,648 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,643+149% | 659 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,386+148% | 2,169 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5687 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-2600 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Xeon X5687 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 160% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5687) vs 2 (Core i7-2600). PCIe lanes: 36 (Xeon X5687) vs 16 (Core i7-2600) — the Xeon X5687 offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X58 (Xeon X5687) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,H77,Z77 (Core i7-2600).
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 288 GB+800% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 36+125% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5687) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2600). The Core i7-2600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Xeon X5687 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5687 targets Server, Core i7-2600 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-2600 rivals FX-8350.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 2000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Productivity |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5687 launched at $552 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600 debuted at $294. At current prices ($189 vs $50), the Core i7-2600 is $139 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5687 delivers 28.5 pts/$ vs 106.9 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600 — making the Core i7-2600 the 115.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Core i7-2600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $552 | $294-47% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $189 | $50-74% |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.5 | 106.9+275% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2011 |
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