Xeon E5-2609 v2 vs Xeon W5590

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 E5-2609 v2 vs Xeon W5590 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 E5-2609 v2 vs Xeon W5590: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2609 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Draws 80W instead of 130W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W5590 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon W5590

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,342 vs 3,369).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $202 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2609 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌62.5% higher power demand at 130W vs 80W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2609 v2 better than Xeon W5590?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W5590 is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2609 v2 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2609 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2609 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2609 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W5590 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2609 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $202 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W5590 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W5590 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (16.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2609 v2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2009), 25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2609 v2 vs Xeon W5590 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2609 v2

The Xeon E5-2609 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,369 points. Launch price was $396.

Xeon W5590

The Xeon W5590 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,342 points. Launch price was $270.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2609 v2 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon W5590's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2609 v2 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon W5590 — a 36.1% clock advantage for the Xeon W5590 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.33 GHz). The Xeon E5-2609 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W5590 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2609 v2 scores 3,369 against the Xeon W5590's 3,342 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2609 v2. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2609 v2 vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon W5590.

Feature	Xeon E5-2609 v2	Xeon W5590
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+44%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.33 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)+25%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)	Gainestown (2009−2010)
PassMark	3,369	3,342

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2609 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W5590 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.