Xeon E5-1680 v2 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2

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 E5-1680 v2 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 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 E5-1680 v2 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-1680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $389 less on MSRP ($1,723 MSRP vs $2,112 MSRP).
✅Delivers 23.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.2 vs 5.8 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $2,112 MSRP).
✅Draws 130W instead of 150W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon E5-2687W v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,301 vs 12,396).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.8 vs 7.2 PassMark/$ ($2,112 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
❌15.4% higher power demand at 150W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1680 v2 better than Xeon E5-2687W v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2687W v2 is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1680 v2 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-1680 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1680 v2 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 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1680 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1680 v2 comes in $389 cheaper on MSRP at $1,723 MSRP versus $2,112 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2687W v2 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 23.5% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 5.8 PassMark/$), 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 E5-1680 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1680 v2 vs Xeon E5-2687W v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1680 v2

The Xeon E5-1680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 12,396 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2687W v2

The Xeon E5-2687W v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,301 points. Launch price was $1,605.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-1680 v2 and Xeon E5-2687W v2 share an identical 8-core/16-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v2 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v2 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1680 v2 scores 12,396 against the Xeon E5-2687W v2's 12,301 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v2. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v2 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v2	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+25%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,396	12,301
Cinebench R23 Multi	8,579	—
Geekbench 6 Single	750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,500	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v2	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	256 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon E5-1680 v2) / not specified (Xeon E5-2687W v2). Primary use case: Xeon E5-1680 v2 targets Server/Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E5-1680 v2 rivals Core i7-4960X.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v2	Xeon E5-2687W v2
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Server/Workstation	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1680 v2 was priced at $1723, while the Xeon E5-2687W v2 came in at $2112. On launch pricing ($1723 vs $2112), Xeon E5-1680 v2 was $389 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1680 v2 delivers 7.2 pts/$ vs 5.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W v2 — making the Xeon E5-1680 v2 the 21% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v2	Xeon E5-2687W v2
MSRP	$1723-18%	$2112
Performance per Dollar	7.2+24%	5.8
Release Date	2013	2013

Search Xeon E5-1680 v2 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-2687W v2 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.