Xeon E5-2428L vs Xeon E5-4650L

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 E5-2428L vs Xeon E5-4650L 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 E5-2428L vs Xeon E5-4650L: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2428L

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $2,924 less on MSRP ($692 MSRP vs $3,616 MSRP).
✅Delivers 420.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 12.3 vs 2.4 PassMark/$ ($692 MSRP vs $3,616 MSRP).
✅Draws 60W instead of 115W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4650L across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,500 vs 8,533).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).

Xeon E5-4650L

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.4 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($3,616 MSRP vs $692 MSRP).
❌91.7% higher power demand at 115W vs 60W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4650L better than Xeon E5-2428L?

Yes. Xeon E5-4650L is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 E5-4650L is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.1% 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 E5-4650L is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4650L is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2428L is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-4650L comes in 422.5% more expensive on MSRP at $3,616 MSRP versus $692 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2428L is also 420.5% better value on MSRP (12.3 vs 2.4 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4650L makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2428L vs Xeon E5-4650L Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2428L

The Xeon E5-2428L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 60 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,500 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-4650L

The Xeon E5-4650L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,533 points. Launch price was $8,685.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2428L packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4650L offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-4650L has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2428L versus 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-4650L — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4650L (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2428L uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-4650L uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2428L scores 8,500 against the Xeon E5-4650L's 8,533 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-4650L. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2428L vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-4650L.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon E5-4650L
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.1 GHz+55%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache	15360 kB (total)	20480 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	8,500	8,533

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2428L uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4650L uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon E5-4650L
Socket	LGA1356	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2428L) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-4650L). Primary use case: Xeon E5-4650L targets Server Low Power.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon E5-4650L
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server Low Power

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2428L was priced at $692, while the Xeon E5-4650L came in at $3616. On launch pricing ($692 vs $3616), Xeon E5-2428L was $2924 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2428L delivers 12.3 pts/$ vs 2.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4650L — making the Xeon E5-2428L the 135.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon E5-4650L
MSRP	$692-81%	$3616
Performance per Dollar	12.3+413%	2.4
Release Date	2012	2012

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