Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2630 v4

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.

Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2630 v4 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2630 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 5 115U

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2630 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2630 v4, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2630 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 10 cores / 20 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (11,434 vs 11,518).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,171 MSRP, while Core Ultra 5 115U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 115U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2630 v4 better than Core Ultra 5 115U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2630 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 5 115U is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 5 115U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 10 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2630 v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2630 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,171 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core Ultra 5 115U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core Ultra 5 115U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 10 threads instead of 10/20. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2630 v4 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core Ultra 5 115U

The Core Ultra 5 115U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): + 10 MB. Memory support: DDR5 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 11,518 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2630 v4

The Xeon E5-2630 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 11,434 points. Launch price was $667.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 115U packs 8 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon E5-2630 v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2630 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2630 v4 — a 30.1% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 115U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2630 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 115U scores 11,518 against the Xeon E5-2630 v4's 11,434 — a 0.7% lead for the Core Ultra 5 115U. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2630 v4.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 115U	Xeon E5-2630 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 10	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+35%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.2 GHz+47%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	25 MB+150%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	2.5 MB+25%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake (2023)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	11,518	11,434
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,032
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,368

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2630 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 115U	Xeon E5-2630 v4
Socket	FCBGA2049	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4 1600/1866/2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core Ultra 5 115U) / VT-x / VT-d / EPT (Xeon E5-2630 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2630 v4 targets Workstation / Server.