Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E5-1680 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-1581 vs Xeon E5-1680 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-1581 vs Xeon E5-1680 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-1581

2016

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,323 less on MSRP ($400 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 327.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 32.9 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($400 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1680 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,173 vs 13,273).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (1.5 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-1680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% 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

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 32.9 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $400 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1680 v3 better than Xeon D-1581?

Yes. Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.9% 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 E5-1680 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% 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 E5-1680 v3 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Xeon E5-1680 v3 comes in 330.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,723 MSRP versus $400 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon D-1581 only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 6.9% in the shared gaming data.

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

Xeon D-1581 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon D-1581 vs Xeon E5-1680 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1581

The Xeon D-1581 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,173 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-1680 v3

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 13,273 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1581 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon D-1581 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Xeon D-1581 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 — a 45.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v3 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon D-1581 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon D-1581 scores 13,173 against the Xeon E5-1680 v3's 13,273 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v3. L3 cache: 1.5 MB (per core) on the Xeon D-1581 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v3.

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.8 GHz+58%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+78%
L3 Cache	1.5 MB (per core)	20 MB (total)+1233%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,173	13,273
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,141
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,782

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1581 uses the FCBGA1667 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Socket	FCBGA1667	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon D-1581) / Yes (Xeon E5-1680 v3).

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon D-1581 was priced at $400, while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 came in at $1723. On launch pricing ($400 vs $1723), Xeon D-1581 was $1323 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon D-1581 delivers 32.9 pts/$ vs 7.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1680 v3 — making the Xeon D-1581 the 124.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon D-1581	Xeon E5-1680 v3
MSRP	$400-77%	$1723
Performance per Dollar	32.9+327%	7.7
Release Date	2016	2014

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