Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2650 v4

Intel

Xeon E-2146G

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2650 v4

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2650 v4 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 E5-2650 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 E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2650 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 E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

  • Draws 80W instead of 105W, a 25W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon E5-2650 v4 needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2650 v4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (13,240 vs 13,290).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 30 MB).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon E5-2650 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.4% higher PassMark.
  • +150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
  • 150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $1,166 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 31.3% higher power demand at 105W 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 E5-2650 v4?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2146G is ahead with a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 v4 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2650 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (30 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 E5-2650 v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E-2146G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,166 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2650 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2650 v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2650 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E5-2650 v4

The Xeon E5-2650 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,290 points. Launch price was $1,166.

Processing Power

The Xeon E-2146G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 — a 43.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E-2146G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2146G scores 13,240 against the Xeon E5-2650 v4's 13,290 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2650 v4. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650 v4.

FeatureXeon E-2146GXeon E5-2650 v4
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz+55%
2.9 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+59%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
12 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark
13,240
13,290
Geekbench 6 Single
1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,385
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2146G uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G versus DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 — the Xeon E-2146G supports 11.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Xeon E-2146G) vs 4 (Xeon E5-2650 v4). PCIe lanes: 16 (Xeon E-2146G) vs 40 (Xeon E5-2650 v4) — the Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2650 v4).

FeatureXeon E-2146GXeon E5-2650 v4
Socket
LGA1151
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666+11%
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
1536 GB+1100%
RAM Channels
2
4+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
16
40+150%
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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E-2146G) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2650 v4). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-2650 v4 targets Server.

FeatureXeon E-2146GXeon E5-2650 v4
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics P630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server