Xeon E5-2640 vs Core i5-7500
Xeon E5-2640
Core i5-7500
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Xeon E5-2640 is positioned at rank 946 and the Core i5-7500 is on rank 573, so the Core i5-7500 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2640
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7500
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) | ✅ More affordable ($65) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+1274%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($885) | ✅ More affordable ($65) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2640 and Core i5-7500
Xeon E5-2640
The Xeon E5-2640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.
Core i5-7500
The Core i5-7500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,362 points. Launch price was $202.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2640 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-7500 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-7500 — a 23.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-7500 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2640 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-7500 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2640 scores 6,305 against the Core i5-7500's 6,362 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i5-7500. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7500.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3 GHz | 3.8 GHz+27% |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz | 3.4 GHz+36% |
| L3 Cache | 15360 kB (total)+150% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) | Kaby Lake (2016−2019) |
| PassMark | 6,305 | 6,362 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2640 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i5-7500 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Xeon E5-2640 versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7500 — the Core i5-7500 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2640 supports up to 384 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 142.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2640) vs 2 (Core i5-7500). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2640) vs 16 (Core i5-7500) — the Xeon E5-2640 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | LGA1151 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 5.0+67% | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR4-2400+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 384 GB+500% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-7500 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-2640 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 targets Server, Core i5-7500 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Server | Desktop |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2640 launched at $885 MSRP, while the Core i5-7500 debuted at $199.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2640 | Core i5-7500 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $885 | $199-78% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $65 |
| Release Date | 2012 | 2017 |
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