Xeon D-1733NT vs Xeon E5-1681 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-1733NT vs Xeon E5-1681 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-1733NT vs Xeon E5-1681 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-1733NT

2022

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,289 less on MSRP ($300 MSRP vs $1,589 MSRP).
✅Delivers 430.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 49.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($300 MSRP vs $1,589 MSRP).
✅Draws 53W instead of 135W, a 82W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1681 V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-1681 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 15 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,820 vs 14,849).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.3 vs 49.5 PassMark/$ ($1,589 MSRP vs $300 MSRP).
❌154.7% higher power demand at 135W vs 53W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon D-1733NT better than Xeon E5-1681 V3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1681 V3 is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1733NT pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1681 V3 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 15 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon D-1733NT is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon D-1733NT is the better buy right now. Xeon D-1733NT comes in $1,289 cheaper on MSRP at $300 MSRP versus $1,589 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1681 V3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 430.7% better value on MSRP (49.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$), 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-1733NT makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon D-1733NT vs Xeon E5-1681 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon D-1733NT

The Xeon D-1733NT is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2227. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,849 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-1681 V3

The Xeon E5-1681 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,820 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon D-1733NT packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-1681 V3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon D-1733NT versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1681 V3 — a 12.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1681 V3 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-1681 V3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon D-1733NT scores 14,849 against the Xeon E5-1681 V3's 14,820 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon D-1733NT. L3 cache: 15 MB on the Xeon D-1733NT vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1681 V3.

Feature	Xeon D-1733NT	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.9 GHz+45%
L3 Cache	15 MB	25 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	10 nm-55%	22 nm
Architecture	—	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,849	14,820
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,050
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon D-1733NT uses the FCBGA2227 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon D-1733NT	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Socket	FCBGA2227	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	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-1733NT) / Yes (Xeon E5-1681 V3).

Feature	Xeon D-1733NT	Xeon E5-1681 V3
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon D-1733NT was priced at $300, while the Xeon E5-1681 V3 came in at $1589. On launch pricing ($300 vs $1589), Xeon D-1733NT was $1289 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon D-1733NT delivers 49.5 pts/$ vs 9.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-1681 V3 — making the Xeon D-1733NT the 136.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon D-1733NT	Xeon E5-1681 V3
MSRP	$300-81%	$1589
Performance per Dollar	49.5+432%	9.3
Release Date	2022	2014

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