Xeon E5-2628L V3 vs Xeon W-2125

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 E5-2628L V3 vs Xeon W-2125 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 E5-2628L V3 vs Xeon W-2125: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2628L V3

2014

Why buy it

✅+203% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 8.3 MB).
✅Draws 75W instead of 120W, a 45W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-2125 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,949 vs 10,000).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-2125

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 25 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $444 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2628L V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌60% higher power demand at 120W vs 75W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2125 better than Xeon E5-2628L V3?

Yes. Xeon W-2125 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% 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-2125 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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-2125 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Xeon W-2125 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2125 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $444 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (22.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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-2125 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 10/20, 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 E5-2628L V3 vs Xeon W-2125 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2628L V3

The Xeon E5-2628L V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 75 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,949 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-2125

The Xeon W-2125 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 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: 10,000 points. Launch price was $444.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2628L V3 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon W-2125 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2628L V3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2628L V3 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2125 — a 57.1% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2125 (base: 2 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2628L V3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-2125 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2628L V3 scores 9,949 against the Xeon W-2125's 10,000 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon W-2125. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2628L V3 vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2125.

Feature	Xeon E5-2628L V3	Xeon W-2125
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+150%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz	4.5 GHz+80%
Base Clock	2 GHz	4 GHz+100%
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+203%	8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	9,949	10,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2628L V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-2125 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2628L V3	Xeon W-2125
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	512 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48