PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Ryzen Z2 Go

2025

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 130W, a 128W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 680M, while Xeon E5-1680 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1680 v2 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,802 vs 8,579).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,723 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Go mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6400% higher power demand at 130W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen Z2 Go can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen Z2 Go

2025

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 2W instead of 130W, a 128W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon 680M, while Xeon E5-1680 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.1% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1680 v2 across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (5,802 vs 8,579).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1680 v2, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $1,723 MSRP, while Ryzen Z2 Go mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌6400% higher power demand at 130W vs 2W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Ryzen Z2 Go can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1680 v2 better than Ryzen Z2 Go?

Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. Xeon E5-1680 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen Z2 Go is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1680 v2 is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 10.1% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1680 v2 is the better fit. You are getting 47.9% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 212.5% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-1680 v2 is the smarter buy today. Xeon E5-1680 v2 is at an unclear MSRP at $1,723 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it gives you a 10.1% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen Z2 Go is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2013) and a healthier platform with a newer socket and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Ryzen Z2 Go Benchmark Check

Xeon E5-1680 v2 Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	176 FPS	167 FPS
medium	139 FPS	145 FPS
high	112 FPS	119 FPS
ultra	89 FPS	98 FPS
1440p
low	145 FPS	140 FPS
medium	113 FPS	118 FPS
high	91 FPS	94 FPS
ultra	73 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	77 FPS	64 FPS
medium	65 FPS	57 FPS
high	52 FPS	45 FPS
ultra	40 FPS	36 FPS

Open Ryzen Z2 Go Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	286 FPS	310 FPS
medium	241 FPS	310 FPS
high	216 FPS	297 FPS
ultra	184 FPS	254 FPS
1440p
low	249 FPS	310 FPS
medium	213 FPS	302 FPS
high	194 FPS	261 FPS
ultra	163 FPS	220 FPS
4K
low	195 FPS	217 FPS
medium	172 FPS	196 FPS
high	143 FPS	179 FPS
ultra	119 FPS	147 FPS

Open Ryzen Z2 Go Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	305 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	310 FPS
1440p
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	305 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	310 FPS
4K
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	277 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	220 FPS	275 FPS

Open Ryzen Z2 Go Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
1080p
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	305 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	310 FPS
1440p
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	305 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	310 FPS
4K
low	305 FPS	310 FPS
medium	305 FPS	310 FPS
high	305 FPS	310 FPS
ultra	305 FPS	310 FPS

Open Ryzen Z2 Go Open Xeon E5-1680 v2

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Ryzen Z2 Go and Xeon E5-1680 v2

Ryzen Z2 Go

The Ryzen Z2 Go is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 6 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB + 8 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 12,188 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-1680 v2

The Xeon E5-1680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 12,396 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Ryzen Z2 Go packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1680 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen Z2 Go versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — a 9.8% clock advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Go (base: 3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Ryzen Z2 Go uses the Rembrandt R (2025) architecture (6 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen Z2 Go scores 12,188 against the Xeon E5-1680 v2's 12,396 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 5,802 vs 8,579 (38.6% advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v2). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,842 vs 750, a 84.3% lead for the Ryzen Z2 Go that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,073 vs 4,500 (29.8% advantage for the Ryzen Z2 Go). L3 cache: 8 MB on the Ryzen Z2 Go vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v2.

Feature	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+10%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	25 MB (total)+213%
L2 Cache	2 MB+700%	256K (per core)
Process	6 nm-73%	22 nm
Architecture	Rembrandt R (2025)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,188	12,396+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	5,802	8,579+48%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,842+146%	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,073+35%	4,500

🧠

Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-6400 on the Ryzen Z2 Go versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 — the Ryzen Z2 Go supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1680 v2 supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Ryzen Z2 Go) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1680 v2). PCIe lanes: 16 (Ryzen Z2 Go) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1680 v2) — the Xeon E5-1680 v2 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Rembrandt-R (Ryzen Z2 Go) and C602,X79 (Xeon E5-1680 v2).

Feature	Ryzen Z2 Go	Xeon E5-1680 v2
Socket	—	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-6400+67%	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	256 GB+300%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon E5-1680 v2 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: SVM (Ryzen Z2 Go) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E5-1680 v2). The Ryzen Z2 Go includes integrated graphics (Radeon 680M), while the Xeon E5-1680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen Z2 Go targets Budget, Xeon E5-1680 v2 targets Server/Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen Z2 Go rivals Core Ultra 5 135U; Xeon E5-1680 v2 rivals Core i7-4960X.