Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs Xeon E5-2676 V3

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 E5-2676 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 E5-1680 v3 vs Xeon E5-2676 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 E5-1680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $77 less on MSRP ($1,723 MSRP vs $1,800 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌16.7% higher power demand at 140W vs 120W.

Xeon E5-2676 V3

2015

Why buy it

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 140W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1680 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (13,178 vs 13,273).
❌
4.5% HIGHER MSRP
$1,800 MSRPvs$1,723 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1680 v3 better than Xeon E5-2676 V3?

Yes. Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon E5-1680 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1680 v3 comes in $77 cheaper on MSRP at $1,723 MSRP versus $1,800 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 5.2% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2676 V3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs Xeon E5-2676 V3 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 E5-2676 V3

The Xeon E5-2676 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 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,178 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2676 V3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2676 V3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2676 V3 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1680 v3 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1680 v3 scores 13,273 against the Xeon E5-2676 V3's 13,178 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-1680 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1680 v3 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2676 V3.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2676 V3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+27%	3 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+33%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	13,273	13,178
Geekbench 6 Single	1,141	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,782	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1680 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2676 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2676 V3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E5-1680 v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-2676 V3).

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2676 V3
Integrated GPU	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-1680 v3 was priced at $1723, while the Xeon E5-2676 V3 came in at $1800. On launch pricing ($1723 vs $1800), Xeon E5-1680 v3 was $77 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1680 v3 delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 7.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2676 V3 — making the Xeon E5-1680 v3 the 5.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1680 v3	Xeon E5-2676 V3
MSRP	$1723-4%	$1800
Performance per Dollar	7.7+5%	7.3
Release Date	2014	2015

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