Xeon E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-4650 v2

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 E5-4650 v2 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 E5-4650 v2: 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

✅Costs $784 less on MSRP ($939 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Delivers 85.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.8 vs 6.4 PassMark/$ ($939 MSRP vs $1,723 MSRP).
✅Draws 90W instead of 95W, a 5W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 25 MB).

Xeon E5-4650 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,946 vs 11,055).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.4 vs 11.8 PassMark/$ ($1,723 MSRP vs $939 MSRP).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2640 v3 better than Xeon E5-4650 v2?

Yes. Xeon E5-2640 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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 E5-2640 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% 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 1% 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 $784 cheaper on MSRP at $939 MSRP versus $1,723 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 85.3% better value on MSRP (11.8 vs 6.4 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2640 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 E5-2640 v3 vs Xeon E5-4650 v2 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 E5-4650 v2

The Xeon E5-4650 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600, DDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 10,946 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2640 v3 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-4650 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-4650 v2 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 v3 versus 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-4650 v2 — a 15.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2640 v3 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2640 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2640 v3 scores 11,055 against the Xeon E5-4650 v2's 10,946 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2640 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640 v3 vs 25 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E5-4650 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-4650 v2
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	10 / 20+25%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+17%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	25 MB Intel® Smart Cache+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	—
PassMark	11,055	10,946

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-4650 v2
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 E5-4650 v2). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-4650 v2
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 E5-4650 v2 came in at $1723. On launch pricing ($939 vs $1723), Xeon E5-2640 v3 was $784 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2640 v3 delivers 11.8 pts/$ vs 6.4 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4650 v2 — making the Xeon E5-2640 v3 the 59.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v3	Xeon E5-4650 v2
MSRP	$939-46%	$1723
Performance per Dollar	11.8+84%	6.4
Release Date	2014	2014

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