Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-1603 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.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-1603 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.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-1603 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon D-1518

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 140W, a 105W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 10 MB).

Xeon E5-1603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+566.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 1.5 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon D-1518 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,460 vs 4,562).
❌Launch MSRP is still $273 MSRP, while Xeon D-1518 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌300% higher power demand at 140W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1518 better than Xeon E5-1603 v3?

Yes. Xeon D-1518 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 2.3% 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 D-1518 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.7% 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 D-1518 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon D-1518 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1603 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon D-1518 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $273 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1603 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 D-1518 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-1603 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1518

The Xeon D-1518 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 March 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1667. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,562 points. Launch price was $193.

Xeon E5-1603 v3

The Xeon E5-1603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,460 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1518 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E5-1603 v3's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Xeon D-1518 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 — a 24% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1603 v3 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon D-1518 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1518 scores 4,562 against the Xeon E5-1603 v3's 4,460 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon D-1518. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1518 vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1603 v3.

Feature	Xeon D-1518	Xeon E5-1603 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	10 MB (total)+567%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	4,562+2%	4,460

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1518 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.