Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs Xeon X5647

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 E5-1603 v3 vs Xeon X5647 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 E5-1603 v3 vs Xeon X5647: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5647 across 10 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $273 MSRP, while Xeon X5647 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon X5647

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 10 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 140W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,441 vs 4,460).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1603 v3 better than Xeon X5647?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon X5647 is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1603 v3 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon X5647 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 10 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1603 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Xeon E5-1603 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1603 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $273 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5647 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 10 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1603 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs Xeon X5647 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1603 v3

The Xeon E5-1603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 4,460 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon X5647

The Xeon X5647 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,441 points. Launch price was $175.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1603 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon X5647's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5647 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Xeon X5647 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5647 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1603 v3 scores 4,460 against the Xeon X5647's 4,441 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-1603 v3. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1603 v3 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5647.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603 v3	Xeon X5647
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	3.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.93 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	4,460	4,441

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1603 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5647 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1603 v3	Xeon X5647
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	Yes

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1603 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon X5647). Primary use case: Xeon X5647 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5647 rivals Core i7-980X.