Xeon E-2146G 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 E-2146G 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 E-2146G 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 E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

✅+36.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 80W instead of 140W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon E5-1680 v3 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-1680 v3.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,385 vs 8,782).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-1680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+37.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,141 vs 1,557).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,723 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75% higher power demand at 140W vs 80W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E-2146G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon E-2146G.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2146G better than Xeon E5-1680 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2146G is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1680 v3 pulls ahead with 37.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon E5-1680 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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 37.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E-2146G is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1680 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2146G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1680 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 37.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon E5-1680 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E-2146G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-1680 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E-2146G

The Xeon E-2146G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,240 points. Launch price was $317.

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 E-2146G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-1680 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon E-2146G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2146G scores 13,240 against the Xeon E5-1680 v3's 13,273 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v3. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,557 vs 1,141, a 30.8% lead for the Xeon E-2146G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,385 vs 8,782 (31.6% advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v3). L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v3.

Feature	Xeon E-2146G	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+18%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,240	13,273
Geekbench 6 Single	1,557+36%	1,141
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,385	8,782+38%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2146G uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 — the Xeon E-2146G supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1680 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB — 500% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E-2146G) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1680 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E-2146G) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1680 v3) — the Xeon E5-1680 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G) and C612,X99 (Xeon E5-1680 v3).

Feature	Xeon E-2146G	Xeon E5-1680 v3
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+25%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	768 GB+500%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Both support Yes virtualization. The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon E5-1680 v3 requires a dedicated GPU.