Xeon E3-1290 v2 vs Xeon E5-2640
Xeon E3-1290 v2
Xeon E5-2640
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E3-1290 v2 is positioned at rank 453 and the Xeon E5-2640 is on rank 946, so the Xeon E3-1290 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1290 v2
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2640
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($125) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+614%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($125) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1290 v2 and Xeon E5-2640
Xeon E3-1290 v2
The Xeon E3-1290 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 87 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,354 points. Launch price was $885.
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.
Processing Power
The Xeon E3-1290 v2 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 4.1 GHz on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 — a 31% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1290 v2 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1290 v2 scores 6,354 against the Xeon E5-2640's 6,305 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E3-1290 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1290 v2 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 6 / 12+50% |
| Boost Clock | 4.1 GHz+37% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.7 GHz+48% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 15360 kB (total)+88% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm-31% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) |
| PassMark | 6,354 | 6,305 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1290 v2 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | 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 | — | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 40 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1290 v2) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2640). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 targets Server.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | No |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Server |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E3-1290 v2 launched at $885 MSRP, while the Xeon E5-2640 debuted at $885.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1290 v2 | Xeon E5-2640 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $885 | $885 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $125 | — |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2012 |
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