Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon E5-2680

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-1557 vs Xeon E5-2680 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-1557 vs Xeon E5-2680: 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-1557

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2680 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,285 vs 9,289).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2680

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+1233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 1.5 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $3,226 MSRP, while Xeon D-1557 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2680 better than Xeon D-1557?

Yes. Xeon E5-2680 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2680 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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 E5-2680 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 1233.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 1.5 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2680 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2680 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $3,226 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (2.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 D-1557 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1557 vs Xeon E5-2680 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1557

The Xeon D-1557 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 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): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,285 points. Launch price was $694.

Xeon E5-2680

The Xeon E5-2680 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,289 points. Launch price was $1,723.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon D-1557 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon D-1557 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1557 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 — a 50% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2680 (base: 1.5 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon D-1557 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1557 scores 9,285 against the Xeon E5-2680's 9,289 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2680. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1557 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680.

Feature	Xeon D-1557	Xeon E5-2680
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	2.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+67%
Base Clock	1.5 GHz	2.7 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	20 MB (total)+1233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,285	9,289

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1557 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1557	Xeon E5-2680
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40