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 v3 vs Xeon E5-2650 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 E5-1680 v3 vs Xeon E5-2650 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 E5-1680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,273 vs 13,290).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 11.4 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $1,166 MSRP).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 105W.

Xeon E5-2650 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $557 less on MSRP ($1,166 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 48.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.4 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($1,166 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 140W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1680 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2650 v4 better than Xeon E5-1680 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-1680 v3 is ahead with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 v4 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2650 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2650 v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2650 v4 comes in $557 cheaper on MSRP at $1,166 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-1680 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 48.0% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2650 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014), 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs Xeon E5-2650 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1680 v3

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 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: 13,273 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2650 v4

The Xeon E5-2650 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,290 points. Launch price was $1,166.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 — a 26.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v3 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses Broadwell-EP (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 13,273 against the Xeon E5-2650 v4's 13,290 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2650 v4. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650 v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2650 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+31%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+45%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell-EP (2016)
PassMark	13,273	13,290
Geekbench 6 Single	1,141	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,782	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 versus DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 — the Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-1680 v3) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-2650 v4).

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2650 v4
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	1536 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	40

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon E5-2650 v4 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-1680 v3) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2650 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2650 v4 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2650 v4
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1680 v3 was priced at $1723, while the Xeon E5-2650 v4 came in at $1166. On launch pricing ($1723 vs $1166), Xeon E5-2650 v4 was $557 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1680 v3 delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 11.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2650 v4 — making the Xeon E5-2650 v4 the 38.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2650 v4
MSRP	$1723	$1166-32%
Performance per Dollar	7.7	11.4+48%
Release Date	2014	2016

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