Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2650 v3

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 E5-2650 v3 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 E5-2650 v3: 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

✅Newer platform on FCBGA2049 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2650 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,518 vs 11,662).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2650 v3, which brings 10 cores / 20 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2650 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.3% 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

❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 5 115U moves to FCBGA2049 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2650 v3 better than Core Ultra 5 115U?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2650 v3 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2650 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2650 v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2650 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2014) and a healthier platform with FCBGA2049 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 5 115U vs Xeon E5-2650 v3 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 E5-2650 v3

The Xeon E5-2650 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 11,662 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 5 115U packs 8 cores / 10 threads, while the Xeon E5-2650 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2650 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 115U versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650 v3 — a 33.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 115U (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake (2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2650 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 5 115U scores 11,518 against the Xeon E5-2650 v3's 11,662 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2650 v3. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 5 115U vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650 v3.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 115U	Xeon E5-2650 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 10	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+40%	3 GHz
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.3 GHz+53%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Meteor Lake (2023)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	11,518	11,662+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 5 115U uses the FCBGA2049 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2650 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 5 115U	Xeon E5-2650 v3
Socket	FCBGA2049	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40