Xeon E5-1620 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640

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 E5-1620 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-1620 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,431 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $2,725 MSRP).
✅Delivers 819.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.7 vs 2.6 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $2,725 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,959 vs 7,012).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 20 MB).
❌47.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 95W.

Xeon E5-4640

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Draws 95W instead of 140W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.6 vs 23.7 PassMark/$ ($2,725 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v3 better than Xeon E5-4640?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is ahead with a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4640 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 10 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1620 v3 comes in $2,431 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $2,725 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4640 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 819.9% better value on MSRP (23.7 vs 2.6 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1620 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1620 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-4640

The Xeon E5-4640 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 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: 7,012 points. Launch price was $2,730.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1620 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 versus 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 — a 25% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1620 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1620 v3 scores 6,959 against the Xeon E5-4640's 7,012 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-4640. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640.

Feature	Xeon E5-1620 v3	Xeon E5-4640
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+29%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+46%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,959	7,012

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-1620 v3	Xeon E5-4640
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-1620 v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-4640). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-1620 v3	Xeon E5-4640
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1620 v3 was priced at $294, while the Xeon E5-4640 came in at $2725. On launch pricing ($294 vs $2725), Xeon E5-1620 v3 was $2431 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1620 v3 delivers 23.7 pts/$ vs 2.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 — making the Xeon E5-1620 v3 the 160.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1620 v3	Xeon E5-4640
MSRP	$294-89%	$2725
Performance per Dollar	23.7+812%	2.6
Release Date	2014	2012

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