Xeon E5-1681 V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-1681 V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-1681 V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-1681 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $156 less on MSRP ($1,589 MSRP vs $1,745 MSRP).
✅Delivers 9.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 9.3 vs 8.5 PassMark/$ ($1,589 MSRP vs $1,745 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2680 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,820 vs 14,864).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).

Xeon E5-2680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 135W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.5 vs 9.3 PassMark/$ ($1,745 MSRP vs $1,589 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2680 v3 better than Xeon E5-1681 V3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2680 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2680 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.6% 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 E5-2680 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2680 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1681 V3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2680 v3 comes in 9.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,745 MSRP versus $1,589 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1681 V3 is also 9.5% better value on MSRP (9.3 vs 8.5 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2680 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 10/20, 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 E5-1681 V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-1681 V3

The Xeon E5-1681 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,820 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2680 v3

The Xeon E5-2680 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,864 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-1681 V3 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-1681 V3 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — a 5.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-1681 V3 (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-1681 V3 scores 14,820 against the Xeon E5-2680 v3's 14,864 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v3. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1681 V3 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-1681 V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	12 / 24+20%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+6%	3.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,820	14,864
Geekbench 6 Single	1,050	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	9,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-1681 V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 768 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Xeon E5-1681 V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	768 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	40

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon E5-2680 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-1681 V3) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2680 v3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2680 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-1681 V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
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 E5-1681 V3 was priced at $1589, while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 came in at $1745. On launch pricing ($1589 vs $1745), Xeon E5-1681 V3 was $156 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-1681 V3 delivers 9.3 pts/$ vs 8.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — making the Xeon E5-1681 V3 the 9.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-1681 V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
MSRP	$1589-9%	$1745
Performance per Dollar	9.3+9%	8.5
Release Date	2014	2014

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