Xeon E5-1650 v3
VS
Xeon E7540

Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs Xeon E7540

Intel

Xeon E5-1650 v3

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Xeon E7540

6 Cores12 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.27 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-1650 v3 is positioned at rank 652 and the Xeon E7540 is on rank 986, so the Xeon E5-1650 v3 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1650 v3

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
11662%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
2202%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
1956%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
1511%
#386
Xeon w9-3475X
MSRP: $3739|Avg: $3930
98%
#388
EPYC 9254
MSRP: $3761|Avg: $1099
96%
#389
Xeon Gold 5220R
MSRP: $1780|Avg: $1015
96%
#390
EPYC 9555P
MSRP: $7983|Avg: $6130
95%
#391
Xeon Gold 5218
MSRP: $1273|Avg: $500
95%
#392
EPYC 9374F
MSRP: $4850|Avg: $3466
95%
#393
Xeon Gold 6448Y
MSRP: $3583|Avg: N/A
95%
#652
Xeon E5-1650 v3
MSRP: $583|Avg: N/A
100%
#654
Xeon E3-1225
MSRP: $224|Avg: $205
98%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E7540

#1
Xeon Platinum 8454H
MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A
39661%
#6
Xeon Gold 6240R
MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A
7488%
#10
Xeon 6337P
MSRP: $60|Avg: $5
6653%
#15
EPYC 9174F
MSRP: $194|Avg: $30
5140%
#986
Xeon E7540
MSRP: $1980|Avg: $146
100%
#987
Xeon E7530
MSRP: $1391|Avg: $146
99%
#988
Xeon E5-4627 v4
MSRP: $2500|Avg: $200
99%
#989
Xeon E5-4627 v3
MSRP: $2225|Avg: $200
97%
#990
Xeon X5660
MSRP: $1219|Avg: $10
94%
#991
Xeon E5-2667
MSRP: $1552|Avg: $31
92%
#992
Xeon E5-2690
MSRP: $2057|Avg: $150
91%
#993
Xeon E3-1565L v5
MSRP: $1552|Avg: $120
90%
#994
Xeon L5640
MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A
89%
#995
Xeon L5335
MSRP: $380|Avg: $18
87%
#996
Xeon E5-4627 v2
MSRP: $2061|Avg: $70
87%
#997
Xeon E-2144G
MSRP: $2090|Avg: $389
86%
#998
Xeon X5675
MSRP: $1440|Avg: $22
85%
#999
Xeon Phi 7210
MSRP: $1881|Avg: $150
74%
#1000
Xeon D-1567
MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230
74%
#1001
Xeon E-2126G
MSRP: $2702|Avg: $230
74%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Xeon E7540 leads in gaming performance. However, the Xeon E5-1650 v3 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.1% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($583)
More affordable ($146)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Haswell-EP (2014−2015) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Xeon E7540 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 75% cheaper ($146 vs $583) while identifying as the stronger performer.
InsightXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Better overall value (+299%)
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($583)
More affordable ($146)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-1650 v3 and Xeon E7540

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 E7540

The Xeon E7540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 10,376 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1650 v3 and Xeon E7540 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 versus 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 — a 50.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1650 v3 (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5-1650 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1650 v3 scores 10,387 against the Xeon E7540's 10,376 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1650 v3. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz+67%
2.27 GHz
Base Clock
3.5 GHz+75%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
15 MB (total)
18 MB L3 Cache+20%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
10,387
10,376
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1650 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7540 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1650 v3 versus DDR3-1066 on the Xeon E7540 — the Xeon E5-1650 v3 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1650 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 2 TB 199% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-1650 v3) vs 32 (Xeon E7540) — the Xeon E5-1650 v3 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
Socket
LGA2011
LGA1567
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+150%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2133+33%
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
2 TB+167%
RAM Channels
4
4
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
40+25%
32
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-1650 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E7540). Primary use case: Xeon E7540 targets Server.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server
💰

Value Analysis

The Xeon E5-1650 v3 launched at $583 MSRP, while the Xeon E7540 debuted at $1980.

FeatureXeon E5-1650 v3Xeon E7540
MSRP
$583-71%
$1980
Avg Price (30d)
$146
Release Date
2014
2010