i5-2550K vs Xeon E5-2696 V3

VS

Aggregate performance score

Xeon E5-2696 V3
2014
18 cores / 36 threads, 145 Watt
13.84
+432%
Core i5-2550K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 95 Watt
2.60

Xeon E5-2696 V3 outperforms Core i5-2550K by a whopping 432% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking5371733
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data1.65
Market segmentServerDesktop processor
Power efficiency9.032.59
Architecture codenameHaswell-EP (2014−2015)Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date8 September 2014 (10 years ago)January 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$189

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K 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 cores18 (Octadeca-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads364
Base clock speed2.3 GHz3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus rateno data5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache45 MB (shared)6144 KB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm2216 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)77 °Cno data
Number of transistors2,600 million1160 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K 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 configuration21
Socket2011-3FCLGA1155,LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)145 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data-
TSX+-
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
FDIno data-
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K are enumerated here.

VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channelDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data32 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Quick Sync Video-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 13.84
+432%
i5-2550K 2.60

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.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 21986
+432%
i5-2550K 4134

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.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 1136
+63.5%
i5-2550K 695

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.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 8122
+288%
i5-2550K 2092

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 13.84 2.60
Physical cores 18 4
Threads 36 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 145 Watt 95 Watt

Xeon E5-2696 V3 has a 432.3% higher aggregate performance score, 350% more physical cores and 800% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i5-2550K, on the other hand, has 52.6% lower power consumption.

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2550K in performance tests.

Be aware that Xeon E5-2696 V3 is a server/workstation processor while Core i5-2550K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Xeon E5-2696 V3 and Core i5-2550K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Xeon E5-2696 V3
Xeon E5-2696 V3
Intel Core i5-2550K
Core i5-2550K

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4.6 1232 votes

Rate Xeon E5-2696 V3 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4 160 votes

Rate Core i5-2550K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Xeon E5-2696 V3 or Core i5-2550K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.