It doesn't really matter what you're doing with it. The 2600 has the most "processing power", by far.

2600: 4 Cores/8 Threads @ 3.4 Ghz Sandy Bridge (Second Gen Core)

E5606: 4 Cores/4 Threads @ 2.13 Ghz Nehalem/Westmere-EP (First gen Core)

VERY clear advantage to the 2600 there.

The Xeon only makes sense in a server application where failures absolutely cannot happen.
 

sk1939

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Which is why we asked what he's doing with it. The other benefit you forgot to mention with the E5606 is the ability to use it in a multi-socket system.
 


That's true, but he only asked "which one is a more processing power" (not the best grammar, but a direct quote, nonetheless).

That's an easy answer.

IF he wanted to use one of the 2 in a multi proc stystem, then obviously, the Xeon is a no-brainer because there isn't any other choice (Xeon's only, I mean).

Edit: Although I would strongly advise against using an older (slow, at that) Xeon for that purpose.
 

sk1939

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Agreed, although it would still be nice to know what he wants it for.