Xeon E5-2428L vs Xeon W-2123

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 W-2123 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 W-2123: 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

✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8.3 MB).
✅Draws 60W instead of 120W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2123 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,500 vs 8,519).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.3 vs 29.0 PassMark/$ ($692 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).

Xeon W-2123

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $398 less on MSRP ($294 MSRP vs $692 MSRP).
✅Delivers 135.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.0 vs 12.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $692 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 15 MB).
❌100% higher power demand at 120W vs 60W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2123 better than Xeon E5-2428L?

Yes. Xeon W-2123 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% 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 W-2123 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.5% 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 W-2123 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon W-2123 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2123 comes in $398 cheaper on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $692 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 135.9% better value on MSRP (29.0 vs 12.3 PassMark/$), 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 W-2123 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012), more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12, 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 E5-2428L vs Xeon W-2123 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 W-2123

The Xeon W-2123 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,519 points. Launch price was $294.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2428L packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon W-2123 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2428L has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2428L versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon W-2123 — a 64.4% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2123 (base: 1.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2428L uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W-2123 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2428L scores 8,500 against the Xeon W-2123's 8,519 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon W-2123. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2428L vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2123.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon W-2123
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2 GHz	3.9 GHz+95%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	15360 kB (total)+82%	8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	8,500	8,519
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,172
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	4,215

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2428L uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W-2123 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon W-2123
Socket	LGA1356	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	512 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2428L) / Yes (Xeon W-2123).

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon W-2123
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2428L was priced at $692, while the Xeon W-2123 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($692 vs $294), Xeon W-2123 was $398 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2428L delivers 12.3 pts/$ vs 29.0 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2123 — making the Xeon W-2123 the 80.9% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2428L	Xeon W-2123
MSRP	$692	$294-58%
Performance per Dollar	12.3	29.0+136%
Release Date	2012	2017

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