Xeon E-2278GEL vs Xeon E5-2687W 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-2278GEL vs Xeon E5-2687W 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-2278GEL vs Xeon E5-2687W 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-2278GEL

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 150W, a 115W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (12,024 vs 12,301).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-2687W v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,112 MSRP, while Xeon E-2278GEL mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌328.6% higher power demand at 150W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W v2 better than Xeon E-2278GEL?

Yes. Xeon E5-2687W v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 2.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2687W v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2687W v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 16 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2687W v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2687W v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,112 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-2278GEL makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2278GEL vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E-2278GEL

The Xeon E-2278GEL is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,024 points. Launch price was $519.

Xeon E5-2687W v2

The Xeon E5-2687W 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,301 points. Launch price was $1,605.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E-2278GEL and Xeon E5-2687W v2 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E-2278GEL versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v2 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v2 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E-2278GEL uses the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2278GEL scores 12,024 against the Xeon E5-2687W v2's 12,301 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W v2. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2278GEL vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v2.

Feature	Xeon E-2278GEL	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.4 GHz+70%
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)	20 MB (total)+25%
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	12,024	12,301+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2278GEL uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.