Xeon E5-2420 v2 vs Xeon E5-2640

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 E5-2420 v2 vs Xeon E5-2640 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 E5-2420 v2 vs Xeon E5-2640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2420 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-2640

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2420 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,305 vs 6,349).
❌Launch MSRP is still $885 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2420 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2420 v2 better than Xeon E5-2640?

Yes. Xeon E5-2420 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.7% 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 E5-2420 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 E5-2420 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2420 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2640 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2420 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2640 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2420 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2420 v2 vs Xeon E5-2640 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2420 v2

The Xeon E5-2420 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,349 points. Launch price was $480.

Xeon E5-2640

The Xeon E5-2640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2420 v2 and Xeon E5-2640 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2640 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2420 v2 scores 6,349 against the Xeon E5-2640's 6,305 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2420 v2. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2420 v2 vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640.

Feature	Xeon E5-2420 v2	Xeon E5-2640
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,349	6,305

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2420 v2 uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2420 v2	Xeon E5-2640
Socket	LGA1356	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40