Xeon E5-2620 v4 vs Xeon E5-4655 v3

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 E5-2620 v4 vs Xeon E5-4655 v3 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 E5-2620 v4 vs Xeon E5-4655 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2620 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $206 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $623 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.2 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $623 MSRP).
✅Draws 85W instead of 135W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,255 vs 9,377).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).

Xeon E5-4655 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.1 vs 22.2 PassMark/$ ($623 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
❌58.8% higher power demand at 135W vs 85W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v4 better than Xeon E5-4655 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2620 v4 is ahead with a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4655 v3 pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4655 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4655 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2620 v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v4 comes in $206 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $623 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4655 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 47.5% better value on MSRP (22.2 vs 15.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2620 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2620 v4 vs Xeon E5-4655 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2620 v4

The Xeon E5-2620 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 9,255 points. Launch price was $417.

Xeon E5-4655 v3

The Xeon E5-4655 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,377 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2620 v4 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-4655 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v4 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4655 v3 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4655 v3 (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-2620 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4655 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2620 v4 scores 9,255 against the Xeon E5-4655 v3's 9,377 — a 1.3% lead for the Xeon E5-4655 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB on the Xeon E5-2620 v4 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4655 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2620 v4	Xeon E5-4655 v3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	20 MB	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	2 MB	256K (per core)+12700%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	9,255	9,377+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2620 v4	Xeon E5-4655 v3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2620 v4 was priced at $417, while the Xeon E5-4655 v3 came in at $623. On launch pricing ($417 vs $623), Xeon E5-2620 v4 was $206 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2620 v4 delivers 22.2 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4655 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2620 v4 the 38.4% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2620 v4	Xeon E5-4655 v3
MSRP	$417-33%	$623
Performance per Dollar	22.2+47%	15.1
Release Date	2016	2015

Search Xeon E5-2620 v4 on Amazon

Search Xeon E5-4655 v3 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.