Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-2603 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.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-2603 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.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4: 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: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 85W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2603 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+900% larger total L3 cache (15 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 (4,517 vs 4,562).
❌142.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1518 better than Xeon E5-2603 v4?

Yes. Xeon D-1518 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, 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 9.8% 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, Xeon D-1518 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon D-1518 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon D-1518 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E5-2603 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and 900% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 1.5 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1518 vs Xeon E5-2603 v4 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 E5-2603 v4

The Xeon E5-2603 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 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,517 points. Launch price was $213.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1518 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Xeon D-1518 versus 1.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2603 v4 — a 25.6% clock advantage for the Xeon D-1518 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). Both are built on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon D-1518 scores 4,562 against the Xeon E5-2603 v4's 4,517 — a 1% lead for the Xeon D-1518. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1518 vs 15 MB on the Xeon E5-2603 v4.

Feature	Xeon D-1518	Xeon E5-2603 v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	2.2 GHz+29%	1.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+29%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	15 MB+900%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+16967%	1.5 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	4,562	4,517

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1518 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2603 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.