Xeon E5-2640 v4 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 90W instead of 115W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,470 vs 12,707).

Xeon E5-2680 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $667 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2640 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌27.8% higher power demand at 115W vs 90W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2680 v2 better than Xeon E5-2640 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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 E5-2680 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2680 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2680 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $667 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2640 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2640 v4 vs Xeon E5-2680 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2640 v4

The Xeon E5-2640 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 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 90 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,470 points. Launch price was $939.

Xeon E5-2680 v2

The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,707 points. Launch price was $1,260.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2640 v4 and Xeon E5-2680 v2 share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 v4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2680 v2 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2640 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2640 v4 scores 12,470 against the Xeon E5-2680 v2's 12,707 — a 1.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v2. L3 cache: 25 MB on the Xeon E5-2640 v4 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v4	Xeon E5-2680 v2
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.8 GHz+17%
L3 Cache	25 MB	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2.5 MB+900%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	12,470	12,707+2%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2640 v4	Xeon E5-2680 v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40