Xeon E5-1630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2608L v4

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 E5-1630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2608L v4 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 E5-1630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2608L v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1630 v3

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,421 vs 7,447).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 20 MB).
❌
2.5% HIGHER MSRP
$372 MSRPvs$363 MSRP
❌180% higher power demand at 140W vs 50W.

Xeon E5-2608L v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 10 MB).
✅Costs $9 less on MSRP ($363 MSRP vs $372 MSRP).
✅Draws 50W instead of 140W, a 90W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2608L v4 better than Xeon E5-1630 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1630 v3 is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2608L v4 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2608L v4 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 E5-2608L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% 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 E5-2608L v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2608L v4 comes in $9 cheaper on MSRP at $363 MSRP versus $372 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1630 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 2.8% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 19.9 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2608L v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014), 100% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 10 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1630 v3 vs Xeon E5-2608L v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1630 v3

The Xeon E5-1630 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 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 7,421 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2608L v4

The Xeon E5-2608L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Max frequency: 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 50 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 7,447 points. Launch price was $363.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1630 v3 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2608L v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1630 v3 versus 1.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2608L v4 — a 81.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1630 v3. The Xeon E5-1630 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1630 v3 scores 7,421 against the Xeon E5-2608L v4's 7,447 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2608L v4. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1630 v3 vs 20 MB on the Xeon E5-2608L v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-1630 v3	Xeon E5-2608L v4
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+137%	1.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz	—
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	20 MB+100%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,421	7,447

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1630 v3 was priced at $372, while the Xeon E5-2608L v4 came in at $363. On launch pricing ($372 vs $363), Xeon E5-2608L v4 was $9 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1630 v3 delivers 19.9 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2608L v4 — making the Xeon E5-2608L v4 the 2.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1630 v3	Xeon E5-2608L v4
MSRP	$372	$363-2%
Performance per Dollar	19.9	20.5+3%
Release Date	2014	2016

Search Xeon E5-1630 v3 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2608L v4 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.