Xeon E5606 vs i5-655K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-655K
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.27
Xeon E5606
2011
4 cores / 4 threads, 80 Watt
1.49
+17.3%

Xeon E5606 outperforms Core i5-655K by a moderate 17% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking23002162
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data0.43
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency1.651.76
Architecture codenameClarkdale (2010−2011)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date30 May 2010 (14 years ago)14 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$46

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 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 cores2 (Dual-core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.13 GHz
Boost clock speed3.46 GHz0.13 GHz
Bus rate2.5 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache4 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size81 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °Cno data
Number of transistors382 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 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
SocketFCLGA1156FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)73 Watt80 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology+-
Idle States++
Demand Based Switching-+
PAE36 Bit40 Bit
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16.38 GB288 GB
Max memory channels23
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processorsno data
Clear Video HD+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes16no 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.

i5-655K 1.27
Xeon E5606 1.49
+17.3%

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.

i5-655K 2017
Xeon E5606 2365
+17.3%

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.

i5-655K 537
+63.2%
Xeon E5606 329

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.

i5-655K 1247
+19.9%
Xeon E5606 1040

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.27 1.49
Recency 30 May 2010 14 February 2011
Physical cores 2 4
Power consumption (TDP) 73 Watt 80 Watt

i5-655K has 9.6% lower power consumption.

Xeon E5606, on the other hand, has a 17.3% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 months, and 100% more physical cores.

The Xeon E5606 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-655K in performance tests.

Note that Core i5-655K is a desktop processor while Xeon E5606 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-655K and Xeon E5606, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-655K
Core i5-655K
Intel Xeon E5606
Xeon E5606

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Community ratings

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


3.4 20 votes

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3.1 19 votes

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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-655K or Xeon E5606, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.