Xeon E5-2628L v4 vs Xeon Silver 4208

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 v4 vs Xeon Silver 4208 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 v4 vs Xeon Silver 4208: 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+172.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 11 MB).
✅Draws 75W instead of 85W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Silver 4208

2019

Why buy it

✅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

❌Lower PassMark (11,040 vs 11,079).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2628L v4 better than Xeon Silver 4208?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Silver 4208 is ahead with a 1.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2628L v4 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2628L v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 172.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 11 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2628L v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 172.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 11 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2628L v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2628L v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Silver 4208 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2628L v4 vs Xeon Silver 4208 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2628L v4

The Xeon E5-2628L 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Max frequency: 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 75 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 11,079 points. Launch price was $1,364.

Xeon Silver 4208

The Xeon Silver 4208 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 11,040 points. Launch price was $417.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2628L v4 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Silver 4208 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2628L v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 1.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2628L v4 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4208 — a 51% clock advantage for the Xeon Silver 4208. The Xeon E5-2628L v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4208 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2628L v4 scores 11,079 against the Xeon Silver 4208's 11,040 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2628L v4. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E5-2628L v4 vs 11 MB on the Xeon Silver 4208.

Feature	Xeon E5-2628L v4	Xeon Silver 4208
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+50%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	1.9 GHz	3.2 GHz+68%
Base Clock	—	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB+173%	11 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	8 MB+167%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	11,079	11,040