Xeon E3-1280 vs Core i7-6950X

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	648	1437
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	2.53	1.34
Market segment	Desktop processor	Server
Series	Intel Core i7 (Desktop)	no data
Architecture codename	Broadwell-E (2016)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	31 May 2016 (8 years ago)	3 April 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$1,723	$450
Current price	$687 (0.4x MSRP)	$243 (0.5x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-6950X has 89% better value for money than Xeon E3-1280.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280 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 cores	10 (Deca-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	20	8
Base clock speed	3 GHz	3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed	4 GHz	3.9 GHz
Bus support	9.6 GT/s / QPI	no data
L1 cache	32K (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	25 MB (shared)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Die size	246 mm2	216 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67°	74 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	72 °C	no data
Number of transistors	3,800 million	1,160 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280 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 configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	no data	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	no data	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	no data	+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	+	no data
FDI	no data	-
Fast Memory Access	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	no data	+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR4	DDR3
Maximum memory size	128 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	no data	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280.

PCIe version	3.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	20

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Core i7-6950X outperforms Xeon E3-1280 by 210% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	11.26	3.63
Recency	31 May 2016	3 April 2011
Physical cores	10	4
Threads	20	8
Cost	$1723	$450
Chip lithography	14 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	140 Watt	95 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-6950X and Xeon E3-1280, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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