Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3

Intel

Xeon E5-1650 v3

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2014
Similar parts
·······
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-4640 v3

12 Cores24 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2015
Similar parts
·······

Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-1650 v3

2014

Why buy it

  • +0.1% higher PassMark.
  • Costs $2,276 less on MSRP ($583 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
  • Delivers 391.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 17.8 vs 3.6 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4640 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 30 MB).
  • 33.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 105W.

Xeon E5-4640 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).
  • Draws 105W instead of 140W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (10,372 vs 10,387).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.6 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($2,859 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4640 v3 better than Xeon E5-1650 v3?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-4640 v3 is ahead with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1650 v3 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4640 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1650 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-4640 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1650 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-4640 v3 comes in 390.4% more expensive on MSRP at $2,859 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1650 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1650 v3 is also 391.1% better value on MSRP (17.8 vs 3.6 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E5-4640 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E5-1650 v3

The Xeon E5-1650 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 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 15 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: 10,387 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E5-4640 v3

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,372 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1650 v3 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — a 37.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1650 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1650 v3 scores 10,387 against the Xeon E5-4640 v3's 10,372 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1650 v3. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640 v3.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E5-4640 v3
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+46%
2.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+84%
1.9 GHz
L3 Cache
15 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
10,387
10,372
Geekbench 6 Single
750
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 versus DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — the Xeon E5-1650 v3 supports 14.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 768 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-1650 v3) and C612 (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E5-4640 v3
Socket
LGA2011
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0
PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133+14%
DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
768 GB
RAM Channels
4
4
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
40
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1650 v3) / Yes (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E5-4640 v3
Integrated GPU
No
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
Yes
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1650 v3 was priced at $583, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 came in at $2859. On launch pricing ($583 vs $2859), Xeon E5-1650 v3 was $2276 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1650 v3 delivers 17.8 pts/$ vs 3.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — making the Xeon E5-1650 v3 the 132.3% better value option.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E5-4640 v3
MSRP
$583-80%
$2859
Performance per Dollar
17.8+394%
3.6
Release Date
2014
2015

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.