Xeon X5687 vs Processor N97
Xeon X5687
Processor N97
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 X5687 is positioned at rank #877 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 X5687
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-N (2023) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($189) | ✅ 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 X5687 and Processor N97
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.
Processor N97
The Processor N97 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,445 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5687 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N97's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.86 GHz on the Xeon X5687 versus 3.6 GHz on the Processor N97 — a 7% clock advantage for the Xeon X5687 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon X5687 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Processor N97 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5687 scores 5,386 against the Processor N97's 5,445 — a 1.1% lead for the Processor N97. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5687 vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N97.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.86 GHz+7% | 3.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.6 GHz+80% | 2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+100% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB (total)+700% |
| Process | 32 nm | 10 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Alder Lake-N (2023) |
| PassMark | 5,386 | 5,445+1% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,643 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,386 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5687 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Processor N97 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 5.0+150% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 288 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 3 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 36 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5687) / not specified (Processor N97). Primary use case: Xeon X5687 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Server | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5687 launched at $552 MSRP, while the Processor N97 debuted at $0. At current prices ($189 vs $0), the Processor N97 is $189 cheaper.
| Feature | Xeon X5687 | Processor N97 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $552 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $189 | $0-100% |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.5 | — |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2023 |
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