IntelOutdated for demanding workloadsServer

Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz

Explore Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz technical reviews, specifications and benchmark results, with practical context for server workloads and platform planning.

Last updated: 2026-10-20
3.6/ 10
Technical rating

Outdated for demanding workloads

Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz is a Server processor with 4 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 2.8 GHz. It records a PassMark CPU Mark of 3474 and a single-thread rating of 1335. Its stated TDP is 130 W.

CPU Mark3,474
359 samples
Single Thread1,335
Overall rank#3,019
of 6,054
Reference price$33.89

Technical assessment

A summary based on specifications and results.

Outdated for demanding workloads
3.6Outdated for demanding workloads

Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz is a Server processor with 4 cores and 4 threads. Its base clock is 2.8 GHz. It records a PassMark CPU Mark of 3474 and a single-thread rating of 1335. Its stated TDP is 130 W.

Specification context

What do these specifications mean in practice?

The Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz is a Server released in 2012. Recorded specifications include 4 cores and 4 threads, a 130 W reference TDP, a 3,474 CPU Mark. Use these figures to understand its position, then compare the results with your software and the complete platform.

Reading guide

Read the performance results

The 3,474 CPU Mark is a broad overall-performance measure, while the 1,335 single-thread result adds context for less-parallel work. Compare the nearby alternatives on this page and do not treat one score as a verdict for every application.

Platform and compatibility

It uses socket LGA2011. A matching socket is only the first check; confirm the official motherboard CPU-support list, BIOS revision and board power limits.

Memory and power

The 130 W TDP helps size the cooling class, but it is not the same as peak wall-power consumption.

FAQ

Common processor questions

What are the key Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz specifications?

The main recorded details are 4 cores and 4 threads, a 130 W reference TDP, a 3,474 CPU Mark. The tables on this page show socket, memory, cache and graphics data when available.

Is the Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz good for gaming?

The product name or CPU Mark alone cannot answer that. Check single-thread performance, core count, the target graphics card, gaming resolution and results from the games you play.

Which motherboards support the Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz?

Start with LGA2011 motherboards, then confirm the official CPU-support list and required BIOS revision for the exact board before buying.

How much power does the Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHz use?

The recorded reference TDP is 130 W. Real consumption can be lower or higher depending on power limits, motherboard, workload and cooling.

This guidance interprets recorded specifications and results; it does not claim hands-on device testing. Results can vary with motherboard, power, memory and cooling.

Multi-axis comparison

How does this processor compare?

A direct comparison with nearby processors from the same brand and a similar core count.

5 CPU

Overall and multi-core performance

A higher CPU Mark indicates stronger overall performance.

01Intel Xeon E5620 @ 2.40GHzIntel3,517 points
02AMD Opteron 6164 HEAMD3,478 points
03Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHzThis CPU3,474 points
04Intel Xeon W5580 @ 3.20GHzIntel3,459 points
05Intel Xeon X5698 @ 4.40GHzIntel3,447 points

Single-thread performance

Measures speed in tasks that depend on one CPU thread.

01Intel Xeon X5698 @ 4.40GHzIntel1,922 points
02Intel Xeon W5580 @ 3.20GHzIntel1,507 points
03Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHzThis CPU1,335 points
04Intel Xeon E5620 @ 2.40GHzIntel1,075 points
05AMD Opteron 6164 HEAMD399 points

Performance per watt

Estimated as CPU Mark divided by TDP.

01Intel Xeon E5620 @ 2.40GHzIntel44.0 Mark/W
02AMD Opteron 6164 HEAMD40.9 Mark/W
03Intel Xeon E5-1603 @ 2.80GHzThis CPU26.7 Mark/W
04Intel Xeon W5580 @ 3.20GHzIntel26.6 Mark/W
05Intel Xeon X5698 @ 4.40GHzIntel26.5 Mark/W

Bars are relative to the processors shown here, not a global ranking of every CPU.

Detailed benchmark results

Snapshot from 2026-10-20

Data CompressionKBytes/Sec
54,753.00
Data EncryptionMBytes/Sec
863.70
Extended InstructionsMillion Matrices/Sec
2,762.00
Find Prime NumbersMillion Primes/Sec
28.00
Floating Point MathMOps/Sec
6,059.00
Integer MathMOps/Sec
11,833.00
PhysicsFrames/Sec
359.00
Random String SortingThousand Strings/Sec
7,365.00

Core specifications

BrandIntel
CategoryServer
Release year2012
SocketLGA2011
Cores / threads4 / 4
Base clock2.80 GHz
Max turbo—
TDP130 W
Integrated graphics—

Memory support

—
Memory type—
Official speed—
Maximum capacity—

Cache hierarchy

L1I4 x 32 KB
L1D4 x 32 KB
L24 x 256 KB
L310 MB