Xeon E5-1607 v3 vs Xeon E5-2420

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 E5-1607 v3 vs Xeon E5-2420 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 E5-1607 v3 vs Xeon E5-2420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1607 v3

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,932 vs 5,012).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 15 MB).
❌47.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-2420

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 47 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 140W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2420 better than Xeon E5-1607 v3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2420 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2420 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.7% more average FPS across 47 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2420 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2420 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2420 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 47 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-1607 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1607 v3 vs Xeon E5-2420 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1607 v3

The Xeon E5-1607 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 4,932 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2420

The Xeon E5-2420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,012 points. Launch price was $390.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1607 v3 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2420 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2420 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-1607 v3 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 — a 25.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1607 v3 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-1607 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1607 v3 scores 4,932 against the Xeon E5-2420's 5,012 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2420. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1607 v3 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420.

Feature	Xeon E5-1607 v3	Xeon E5-2420
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz+29%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+63%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark	4,932	5,012+2%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1607 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2420 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.