Pentium Gold 8505 vs Xeon E5-2643 v2

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.

Pentium Gold 8505 vs Xeon E5-2643 v2 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.

Pentium Gold 8505 vs Xeon E5-2643 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Pentium Gold 8505

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 55W instead of 130W, a 75W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics, while Xeon E5-2643 v2 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2643 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,167 vs 9,172).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2643 v2, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5-2643 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +17.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌136.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 55W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Pentium Gold 8505 moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold 8505 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2643 v2 better than Pentium Gold 8505?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2643 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Pentium Gold 8505 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 E5-2643 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 17.2% 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 E5-2643 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2643 v2 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2643 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 17.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold 8505 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2013) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Pentium Gold 8505 vs Xeon E5-2643 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Pentium Gold 8505

The Pentium Gold 8505 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 5 cores and 6 threads. Max frequency: 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200, LPDDR5-5200, LPDDR4x-4267. Passmark benchmark score: 9,167 points. Launch price was $69.

Xeon E5-2643 v2

The Xeon E5-2643 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,172 points. Launch price was $2,200.

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Processing Power

The Pentium Gold 8505 packs 5 cores / 6 threads, while the Xeon E5-2643 v2 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2643 v2 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 8505 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 v2 — a 14.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 8505. The Xeon E5-2643 v2 is built on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium Gold 8505 scores 9,167 against the Xeon E5-2643 v2's 9,172 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2643 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Pentium Gold 8505 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643 v2.

Feature	Pentium Gold 8505	Xeon E5-2643 v2
Cores / Threads	5 / 6	6 / 12+20%
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+16%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	—	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	—	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	9,167	9,172
Geekbench 6 Single	1,550	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,055	—

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Memory & Platform

The Pentium Gold 8505 uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2643 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Gold 8505	Xeon E5-2643 v2
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR5-4800	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	20	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Pentium Gold 8505) / not specified (Xeon E5-2643 v2). The Pentium Gold 8505 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics), while the Xeon E5-2643 v2 requires a dedicated GPU.