Xeon Bronze 3408U vs Xeon E5-2689

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.

Xeon Bronze 3408U vs Xeon E5-2689 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.

Xeon Bronze 3408U vs Xeon E5-2689: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon Bronze 3408U

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-2689

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 115W instead of 125W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Bronze 3408U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,922 vs 9,969).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,800 MSRP, while Xeon Bronze 3408U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Xeon Bronze 3408U moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Bronze 3408U better than Xeon E5-2689?

Yes. Xeon Bronze 3408U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Bronze 3408U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.6% 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 Bronze 3408U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon Bronze 3408U is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2689 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Bronze 3408U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,800 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2689 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Bronze 3408U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2012), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 8/16. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon Bronze 3408U vs Xeon E5-2689 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon Bronze 3408U

The Xeon Bronze 3408U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4000. Passmark benchmark score: 9,969 points. Launch price was $425.

Xeon E5-2689

The Xeon E5-2689 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,922 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon Bronze 3408U packs 8 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-2689's 8 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Xeon Bronze 3408U versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 — a 61.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2689 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon Bronze 3408U uses the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2689 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon Bronze 3408U scores 9,969 against the Xeon E5-2689's 9,922 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon Bronze 3408U. L3 cache: 22.5 MB on the Xeon Bronze 3408U vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2689.

Feature	Xeon Bronze 3408U	Xeon E5-2689
Cores / Threads	8 / 8	8 / 16
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+89%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	22.5 MB+13%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-78%	32 nm
Architecture	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,969	9,922

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon Bronze 3408U uses the LGA4677 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2689 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.