FX-9590 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3

FX-9590 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3 Performance Spectrum

FX-9590

8 / 8

10,194

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 7960X

Xeon E5-2643 v3

6 / 12

10,265

+0.7%

About PassMark

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.

FX-9590 vs Xeon E5-2643 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.

FX-9590 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

FX-9590

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,194 vs 10,265).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2643 v3, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 29.1 vs 46.9 PassMark/$ ($350 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).
❌63% higher power demand at 220W vs 135W.

Xeon E5-2643 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.
✅Costs $131 less on MSRP ($219 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.9 vs 29.1 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $350 MSRP).
✅Draws 135W instead of 220W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-9590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2643 v3 better than FX-9590?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2643 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while FX-9590 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, Xeon E5-2643 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2643 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2643 v3 comes in $131 cheaper on MSRP at $219 MSRP versus $350 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that FX-9590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 14.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.9% better value on MSRP (46.9 vs 29.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon E5-2643 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

FX-9590 vs Xeon E5-2643 v3 Technical Specifications

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

FX-9590

The FX-9590 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 July 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.7 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 220 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,194 points. Launch price was $149.

Xeon E5-2643 v3

The Xeon E5-2643 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,265 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The FX-9590 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2643 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the FX-9590 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5 GHz on the FX-9590 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 v3 — a 29.9% clock advantage for the FX-9590 (base: 4.7 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The FX-9590 uses the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the FX-9590 scores 10,194 against the Xeon E5-2643 v3's 10,265 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2643 v3.

Feature	FX-9590	Xeon E5-2643 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	5 GHz+35%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	4.7 GHz+38%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	—	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	8192 kB+3100%	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Vishera (2012−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,194	10,265

🧠

Memory & Platform

The FX-9590 uses the AM3+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2643 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	FX-9590	Xeon E5-2643 v3
Socket	AM3+	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the FX-9590 was priced at $350, while the Xeon E5-2643 v3 came in at $219. On launch pricing ($350 vs $219), Xeon E5-2643 v3 was $131 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the FX-9590 delivers 29.1 pts/$ vs 46.9 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2643 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2643 v3 the 46.7% better value option.

Feature	FX-9590	Xeon E5-2643 v3
MSRP	$350	$219-37%
Performance per Dollar	29.1	46.9+61%
Release Date	2013	2014

Search FX-9590 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2643 v3 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.