Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-2640

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 E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-2640 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 E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-2640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E3-1268L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $508 less on MSRP ($377 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 135.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.8 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($377 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 95W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2640 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Xeon E5-2640

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,305 vs 6,334).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 16.8 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $377 MSRP).
❌171.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1268L v5 better than Xeon E5-2640?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2640 is ahead with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1268L v5 pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2640 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1268L v5 comes in $508 cheaper on MSRP at $377 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2640 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 135.8% better value on MSRP (16.8 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1268L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs Xeon E5-2640 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E3-1268L v5

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,334 points. Launch price was $377.

Xeon E5-2640

The Xeon E5-2640 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1268L v5 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1268L v5 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 scores 6,334 against the Xeon E5-2640's 6,305 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E3-1268L v5. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1268L v5 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-2640
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+13%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.5 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Skylake-DT (2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,334	6,305

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1268L v5 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-2640
Socket	LGA1151	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1268L v5) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2640). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-2640
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E3-1268L v5 was priced at $377, while the Xeon E5-2640 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($377 vs $885), Xeon E3-1268L v5 was $508 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E3-1268L v5 delivers 16.8 pts/$ vs 7.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2640 — making the Xeon E3-1268L v5 the 80.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E3-1268L v5	Xeon E5-2640
MSRP	$377-57%	$885
Performance per Dollar	16.8+137%	7.1
Release Date	2015	2012

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