Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4

Intel

Xeon E-2378

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2021
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2689 v4

10 Cores20 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2016
Similar parts
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Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon E5-2689 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-2378 vs Xeon E5-2689 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-2378 vs Xeon E5-2689 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-2378

2021

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $2,361 less on MSRP ($362 MSRP vs $2,723 MSRP).
  • Delivers 651.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 47.2 vs 6.3 PassMark/$ ($362 MSRP vs $2,723 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (17,069 vs 17,084).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-2689 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • +56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E-2378 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.3 vs 47.2 PassMark/$ ($2,723 MSRP vs $362 MSRP).
  • 153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2378 better than Xeon E5-2689 v4?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E-2378 is ahead with a 16.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2689 v4 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2689 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2689 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 56.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E-2378 is the better buy right now. Xeon E-2378 comes in $2,361 cheaper on MSRP at $362 MSRP versus $2,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2689 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 651.5% better value on MSRP (47.2 vs 6.3 PassMark/$), 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-2378 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E-2378 vs Xeon E5-2689 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E-2378

The Xeon E-2378 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 17,069 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E5-2689 v4

The Xeon E5-2689 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,084 points. Launch price was $2,723.

Processing Power

The Xeon E-2378 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2689 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2378 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2689 v4 — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2378 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E-2378 uses the Rocket Lake-E (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E-2378 scores 17,069 against the Xeon E5-2689 v4's 17,084 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2689 v4. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2378 vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2689 v4.

FeatureXeon E-2378Xeon E5-2689 v4
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+26%
3.8 GHz
Base Clock
2.6 GHz
3.1 GHz+19%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)
25 MB+56%
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+20380%
2.5 MB
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Rocket Lake-E (2021)
Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark
17,069
17,084
Geekbench 6 Single
1,821
Geekbench 6 Multi
9,986
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E-2378 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E-2378Xeon E5-2689 v4
Socket
LGA1200
LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
128 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E-2378) / not specified (Xeon E5-2689 v4).

FeatureXeon E-2378Xeon E5-2689 v4
Integrated GPU
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
Yes
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E-2378 was priced at $362, while the Xeon E5-2689 v4 came in at $2723. On launch pricing ($362 vs $2723), Xeon E-2378 was $2361 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E-2378 delivers 47.2 pts/$ vs 6.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2689 v4 — making the Xeon E-2378 the 153% better value option.

FeatureXeon E-2378Xeon E5-2689 v4
MSRP
$362-87%
$2723
Performance per Dollar
47.2+649%
6.3
Release Date
2021
2016

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