Xeon X5680 vs i7-5960X

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5960X
2014
8 cores / 16 threads, 140 Watt
8.02
+86.1%
Xeon X5680
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.31

Core i7-5960X outperforms Xeon X5680 by an impressive 86% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9291354
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.754.13
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency5.423.14
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)14 February 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$999$172

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon X5680 has 451% better value for money than i7-5960X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1612
Base clock speed3 GHz3.33 GHz
Boost clock speed3.5 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate0 GT/sno data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache20 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C79 °C
Number of transistors2,600 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680 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
SocketFCLGA2011FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-+
PAEno data40 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB288 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes40no data

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.

i7-5960X 8.02
+86.1%
Xeon X5680 4.31

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.

i7-5960X 12744
+86.3%
Xeon X5680 6842

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-5960X 1322
+149%
Xeon X5680 530

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-5960X 7496
+200%
Xeon X5680 2501

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 8.02 4.31
Recency 1 September 2014 14 February 2010
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 16 12
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 130 Watt

i7-5960X has a 86.1% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 33.3% more physical cores and 33.3% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

Xeon X5680, on the other hand, has 7.7% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon X5680 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-5960X is a desktop processor while Xeon X5680 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-5960X and Xeon X5680, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-5960X
Core i7-5960X
Intel Xeon X5680
Xeon X5680

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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