Xeon E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643 v4

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 E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643 v4 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 E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2640 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $613 less on MSRP ($939 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 65.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($939 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Draws 90W instead of 135W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-2643 v4

2016

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2640 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (11,024 vs 11,055).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $939 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 135W vs 90W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2640 v3 better than Xeon E5-2643 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2640 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2640 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.1% 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 E5-2640 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2640 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2640 v3 comes in $613 cheaper on MSRP at $939 MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 65.7% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2643 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-2643 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2640 v3

The Xeon E5-2640 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 90 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 11,055 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2643 v4

The Xeon E5-2643 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 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 11,024 points. Launch price was $1,552.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2640 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-2643 v4 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 v3 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 v4 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2643 v4 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2640 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2643 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2640 v3 scores 11,055 against the Xeon E5-2643 v4's 11,024 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2640 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640 v3 vs 20 MB on the Xeon E5-2643 v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-2643 v4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+16967%	1.5 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	11,055	11,024

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-2643 v4
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0	PCIe 5.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2640 v3) / not specified (Xeon E5-2643 v4). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-2643 v4
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	Yes	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2640 v3 was priced at $939, while the Xeon E5-2643 v4 came in at $1552. On launch pricing ($939 vs $1552), Xeon E5-2640 v3 was $613 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2640 v3 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 7.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2643 v4 — making the Xeon E5-2640 v3 the 49.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-2643 v4
MSRP	$939-39%	$1552
Performance per Dollar	11.8+66%	7.1
Release Date	2014	2016

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