Xeon E5-2440 vs Xeon E5-2650L

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 E5-2440 vs Xeon E5-2650L 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 E5-2440 vs Xeon E5-2650L: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2440

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $20 less on MSRP ($728 MSRP vs $748 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2650L across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 20 MB).
❌35.7% higher power demand at 95W vs 70W.

Xeon E5-2650L

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).
✅Draws 70W instead of 95W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,055 vs 6,091).
❌
2.7% HIGHER MSRP
$748 MSRPvs$728 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2440 better than Xeon E5-2650L?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2650L is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2440 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2650L also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 15 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2440 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2440 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2440 comes in $20 cheaper on MSRP at $728 MSRP versus $748 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2650L is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 3.4% better value on MSRP (8.4 vs 8.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2650L is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon E5-2440 vs Xeon E5-2650L Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2440

The Xeon E5-2440 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,091 points. Launch price was $295.

Xeon E5-2650L

The Xeon E5-2650L 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 70 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,055 points. Launch price was $142.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2440 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2650L offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2650L has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2440 versus 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650L — a 23.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2440 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2440 uses the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-2650L uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2440 scores 6,091 against the Xeon E5-2650L's 6,055 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2440. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2440 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650L.

Feature	Xeon E5-2440	Xeon E5-2650L
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz+26%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+33%	1.8 GHz
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	6,091	6,055

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2440 uses the LGA1356 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-2650L uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2440	Xeon E5-2650L
Socket	LGA1356	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2440 was priced at $728, while the Xeon E5-2650L came in at $748. On launch pricing ($728 vs $748), Xeon E5-2440 was $20 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2440 delivers 8.4 pts/$ vs 8.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2650L — making the Xeon E5-2440 the 3.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2440	Xeon E5-2650L
MSRP	$728-3%	$748
Performance per Dollar	8.4+4%	8.1
Release Date	2012	2012

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