Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2690 v2

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 E5-2690 v2 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 E5-2690 v2: 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 130W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon E5-2690 v2 needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,240 vs 13,377).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W 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 E5-2690 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2146G is ahead with a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v2 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 108.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E-2146G still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E-2146G comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2146G vs Xeon E5-2690 v2 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 E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2146G packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v2 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E-2146G uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2146G scores 13,240 against the Xeon E5-2690 v2's 13,377 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v2. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Feature	Xeon E-2146G	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	10 / 20+67%
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz+25%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+17%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	25 MB (total)+108%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	13,240	13,377+1%
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 E5-2690 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E-2146G	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E-2146G) / not specified (Xeon E5-2690 v2). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 requires a dedicated GPU.