Xeon E5-1607 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3

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 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 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 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3: 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

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2603 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (3,788 vs 3,825).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 15 MB).
❌52.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 85W.

Xeon E5-2603 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 85W instead of 130W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2603 v3 better than Xeon E5-1607?

Yes. Xeon E5-2603 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2603 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2603 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 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 E5-2603 v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2603 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E5-2603 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1607 vs Xeon E5-2603 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1607

The Xeon E5-1607 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 3,788 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2603 v3

The Xeon E5-2603 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 3,825 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1607 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Xeon E5-2603 v3 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the Xeon E5-2603 v3 has 2 more cores. The Xeon E5-2603 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1607 scores 3,788 against the Xeon E5-2603 v3's 3,825 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2603 v3. L3 cache: 10 MB on the Xeon E5-1607 vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2603 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-1607	Xeon E5-2603 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	—	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+87%	1.6 GHz
L3 Cache	10 MB	15 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	—	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	3,788	3,825