Xeon E5-1428L vs Xeon E5-4617

Intel

Xeon E5-1428L

6 Cores12 Thrd60 WWMax: 1.8 GHz2012
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-4617

6 Cores6 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Xeon E5-1428L vs Xeon E5-4617 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 E5-1428L vs Xeon E5-4617 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 E5-1428L vs Xeon E5-4617: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1428L

2012

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 60W instead of 130W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (6,255 vs 6,298).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 13.0 vs 70.0 PassMark/$ ($480 MSRP vs $90 MSRP).

Xeon E5-4617

2012

Why buy it

  • +0.7% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $390 less on MSRP ($90 MSRP vs $480 MSRP).
  • Delivers 437.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 70.0 vs 13.0 PassMark/$ ($90 MSRP vs $480 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1428L across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • 116.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 60W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4617 better than Xeon E5-1428L?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1428L is ahead with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4617 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4617 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-4617 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-4617 comes in $390 cheaper on MSRP at $90 MSRP versus $480 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1428L is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 437.0% better value on MSRP (70.0 vs 13.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4617 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon E5-1428L vs Xeon E5-4617 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E5-1428L

The Xeon E5-1428L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 1.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,255 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E5-4617

The Xeon E5-4617 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,298 points. Launch price was $90.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1428L packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon E5-4617's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 1.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1428L versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-4617 — a 61.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4617 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-1428L uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-4617 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1428L scores 6,255 against the Xeon E5-4617's 6,298 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-4617. Both processors carry 15360 kB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureXeon E5-1428LXeon E5-4617
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 6
Boost Clock
1.8 GHz
3.4 GHz+89%
Base Clock
1.8 GHz
2.9 GHz+61%
L3 Cache
15360 kB (total)
15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark
6,255
6,298
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1428L uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4617 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-1428LXeon E5-4617
Socket
LGA1356
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1428L was priced at $480, while the Xeon E5-4617 came in at $90. On launch pricing ($480 vs $90), Xeon E5-4617 was $390 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1428L delivers 13.0 pts/$ vs 70.0 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4617 — making the Xeon E5-4617 the 137.2% better value option.

FeatureXeon E5-1428LXeon E5-4617
MSRP
$480
$90-81%
Performance per Dollar
13.0
70.0+438%
Release Date
2012
2012

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