Core Ultra 7 266V vs Xeon E5-2690 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 7 266V vs Xeon E5-2690 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 7 266V vs Xeon E5-2690 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 7 266V

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,570 less on MSRP ($520 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 302.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 37.1 vs 9.2 PassMark/$ ($520 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 17W instead of 135W, a 118W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA2833 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2690 v4, which brings 14 cores / 28 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+191.7% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 14 cores / 28 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 7 266V across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,255 vs 19,274).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.2 vs 37.1 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $520 MSRP).
❌694.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 17W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 7 266V moves to FCBGA2833 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 7 266V better than Xeon E5-2690 v4?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2690 v4 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 7 266V is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 7 266V is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.8% 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, Core Ultra 7 266V is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core Ultra 7 266V is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 7 266V comes in $1,570 cheaper on MSRP at $520 MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 302.3% better value on MSRP (37.1 vs 9.2 PassMark/$), 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 7 266V makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2016), a healthier platform with FCBGA2833 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 14/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 7 266V vs Xeon E5-2690 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Core Ultra 7 266V

The Core Ultra 7 266V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,274 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon E5-2690 v4

The Xeon E5-2690 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 19,255 points. Launch price was $2,090.

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Processing Power

The Core Ultra 7 266V packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 266V versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 266V (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core Ultra 7 266V uses the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture (3 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 7 266V scores 19,274 against the Xeon E5-2690 v4's 19,255 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 266V. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 266V vs 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 266V	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	14 / 28+75%
Boost Clock	5 GHz+43%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	35 MB+192%
L2 Cache	2.5 MB (per core)	3.5 MB+40%
Process	3 nm-79%	14 nm
Architecture	Lunar Lake (2024)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	19,274	19,255

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Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 7 266V uses the FCBGA2833 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 266V	Xeon E5-2690 v4
Socket	FCBGA2833	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 7 266V was priced at $520, while the Xeon E5-2690 v4 came in at $2090. On launch pricing ($520 vs $2090), Core Ultra 7 266V was $1570 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 7 266V delivers 37.1 pts/$ vs 9.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 v4 — making the Core Ultra 7 266V the 120.4% better value option.

Feature	Core Ultra 7 266V	Xeon E5-2690 v4
MSRP	$520-75%	$2090
Performance per Dollar	37.1+303%	9.2
Release Date	2024	2016

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