Xeon X5660 vs i7-6850K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-6850K
2016
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
7.22
+90.5%
Xeon X5660
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
3.79

Core i7-6850K outperforms Xeon X5660 by an impressive 91% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking9941480
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation1.403.05
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency4.883.78
Architecture codenameBroadwell-E (2016)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date31 May 2016 (8 years ago)16 March 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$475$33

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon X5660 has 118% better value for money than i7-6850K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads1212
Base clock speed3.6 GHz2.8 GHz
Boost clock speed4 GHz3.2 GHz
L1 cache32 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache15 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data239 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data81 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660 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 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switchingno data+
PAEno data40 Bit
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+no data

Security technologies

Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB288 GB
Max memory channels43
Maximum memory bandwidthno data32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660.

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.

i7-6850K 7.22
+90.5%
Xeon X5660 3.79

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.

i7-6850K 11462
+90.6%
Xeon X5660 6015

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.

i7-6850K 1288
+179%
Xeon X5660 461

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.

i7-6850K 5830
+165%
Xeon X5660 2196

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 7.22 3.79
Recency 31 May 2016 16 March 2010
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 95 Watt

i7-6850K has a 90.5% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

Xeon X5660, on the other hand, has 47.4% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-6850K is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon X5660 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-6850K is a desktop processor while Xeon X5660 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6850K and Xeon X5660, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-6850K
Core i7-6850K
Intel Xeon X5660
Xeon X5660

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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