Xeon X5690 vs Ryzen 5 5600
Xeon X5690
Ryzen 5 5600
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 X5690 is positioned at rank #514 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 X5690
Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 5600
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($115) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Vermeer (2020−2025) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+566%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($250) | ✅ More affordable ($115) |
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 X5690 and Ryzen 5 5600
Xeon X5690
The Xeon X5690 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (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: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.
Ryzen 5 5600
The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon X5690 and Ryzen 5 5600 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600 (base: 3.46 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon X5690 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5690 scores 7,031 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 101.6% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 3,000 vs 11,077 (114.8% advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600). L3 cache: 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690 vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 3.73 GHz | 4.4 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 3.46 GHz | 3.5 GHz+1% |
| L3 Cache | 12288 kB (total) | 32 MB (total)+167% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512K (per core)+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 7 nm-78% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Vermeer (2020−2025) |
| PassMark | 7,031 | 21,550+206% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,000 | 11,077+269% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,052 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,600 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5690 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5690 versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 5600 — the Ryzen 5 5600 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5690) vs 2 (Ryzen 5 5600). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5690) and B550,X570,B450,X470,A520 (Ryzen 5 5600).
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | AM4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-3200+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 128 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 24 |
Advanced Features
Only the Ryzen 5 5600 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation, Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | AMD-V |
| Target Use | Workstation | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon X5690 launched at $250 MSRP, while the Ryzen 5 5600 debuted at $199. At current prices ($250 vs $115), the Ryzen 5 5600 is $135 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon X5690 delivers 28.1 pts/$ vs 187.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 147.8% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon X5690 | Ryzen 5 5600 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250 | $199-20% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $250 | $115-54% |
| Performance per Dollar | 28.1 | 187.4+567% |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2022 |
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