Xeon E-2234 vs Xeon E5-2690

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-2234 vs Xeon E5-2690 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-2234 vs Xeon E5-2690: 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-2234

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $1,807 less on MSRP ($250 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Delivers 712.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 38.6 vs 4.7 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $2,057 MSRP).
✅Draws 71W instead of 135W, a 64W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,639 vs 9,764).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2690

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2234 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 4.7 vs 38.6 PassMark/$ ($2,057 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
❌90.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 71W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2234 better than Xeon E5-2690?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2234 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 also has the bigger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E-2234 is the better buy right now. Xeon E-2234 comes in $1,807 cheaper on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $2,057 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2690 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 712.3% better value on MSRP (38.6 vs 4.7 PassMark/$), 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 E-2234 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2234 vs Xeon E5-2690 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E-2234

The Xeon E-2234 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,639 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E5-2690

The Xeon E5-2690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,764 points. Launch price was $397.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E-2234 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2234 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2234 (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E-2234 uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2234 scores 9,639 against the Xeon E5-2690's 9,764 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2690. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2234 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690.

Feature	Xeon E-2234	Xeon E5-2690
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+26%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+24%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	9,639	9,764+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2234 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2690 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E-2234	Xeon E5-2690
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E-2234 was priced at $250, while the Xeon E5-2690 came in at $2057. On launch pricing ($250 vs $2057), Xeon E-2234 was $1807 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E-2234 delivers 38.6 pts/$ vs 4.7 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2690 — making the Xeon E-2234 the 156.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E-2234	Xeon E5-2690
MSRP	$250-88%	$2057
Performance per Dollar	38.6+721%	4.7
Release Date	2019	2012

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