Xeon E5-2603 v2 vs i7-2600K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-2600K
2011
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
3.46
+101%
Xeon E5-2603 v2
2013
4 cores / 4 threads, 80 Watt
1.72

Core i7-2600K outperforms Xeon E5-2603 v2 by a whopping 101% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking15552048
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.470.47
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesIntel Core i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.452.03
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
Release date9 January 2011 (13 years ago)1 September 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$317$240

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 have a nearly equal value for money.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads84
Base clock speed3.4 GHz1.8 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz1.8 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s6.4 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)10 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size216 mm2160 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C71 °C
Number of transistors1,160 million1,400 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration12
SocketLGA1155FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt80 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology+-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+-
Demand Based Switchingno data+
PAEno data46 Bit
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection+-
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 are enumerated here.

VT-d-+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB768 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s42.6 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 3000no data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.35 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1640

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-2600K 3.46
+101%
Xeon E5-2603 v2 1.72

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-2600K 5492
+101%
Xeon E5-2603 v2 2735

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.46 1.72
Recency 9 January 2011 1 September 2013
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 80 Watt

i7-2600K has a 101.2% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more threads.

Xeon E5-2603 v2, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 2 years, a 45.5% more advanced lithography process, and 18.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-2600K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon E5-2603 v2 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-2600K is a desktop processor while Xeon E5-2603 v2 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-2600K and Xeon E5-2603 v2, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-2600K
Core i7-2600K
Intel Xeon E5-2603 v2
Xeon E5-2603 v2

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Community ratings

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