Xeon X5650 vs i7-990X

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-990X
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
4.50
+25%
Xeon X5650
2010
6 cores / 12 threads, 95 Watt
3.60

Core i7-990X outperforms Xeon X5650 by a significant 25% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking13211512
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.230.25
Market segmentDesktop processorServer
Power efficiency3.283.59
Architecture codenameGulftown (2010−2011)Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
Release date24 February 2011 (13 years ago)16 March 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,104$53

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon X5650 has 9% better value for money than i7-990X.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650 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 speed3.46 GHz2.66 GHz
Boost clock speed3.73 GHz3.06 GHz
Bus rate6.4 GT/sno data
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm32 nm
Die size239 mm2239 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C81 °C
Number of transistors1,170 million1,170 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650 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
SocketFCLGA1366,LGA1366FCLGA1366,LGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650. 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 Technology1.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Demand Based Switching-+
PAE36 Bit40 Bit

Security technologies

Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB288 GB
Max memory channels33
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s32 GB/s
ECC memory support-+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650.

PCIe version2.02.0

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.

i7-990X 4.50
+25%
Xeon X5650 3.60

  • Passmark
  • GeekBench 5 Single-Core
  • GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

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.

i7-990X 7153
+25.1%
Xeon X5650 5719

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.

i7-990X 557
+24.6%
Xeon X5650 447

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.

i7-990X 2606
+16.8%
Xeon X5650 2231

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 4.50 3.60
Recency 24 February 2011 16 March 2010
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 95 Watt

i7-990X has a 25% higher aggregate performance score, and an age advantage of 11 months.

Xeon X5650, on the other hand, has 36.8% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-990X is our recommended choice as it beats the Xeon X5650 in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-990X is a desktop processor while Xeon X5650 is a server/workstation one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-990X and Xeon X5650, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

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Intel Core i7-990X
Core i7-990X
Intel Xeon X5650
Xeon X5650

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Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

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