Xeon E5-2643 v3 vs Xeon E5-2687W

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 E5-2643 v3 vs Xeon E5-2687W 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 E5-2643 v3 vs Xeon E5-2687W: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2643 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+2.3% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,666 less on MSRP ($219 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 780.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.9 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($219 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Draws 135W instead of 150W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon E5-2687W

2012

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,036 vs 10,265).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 46.9 PassMark/$ ($1,885 MSRP vs $219 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2643 v3 better than Xeon E5-2687W?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2687W is ahead with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2643 v3 pulls ahead with 2.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2643 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2643 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2643 v3 comes in $1,666 cheaper on MSRP at $219 MSRP versus $1,885 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2687W is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 780.4% better value on MSRP (46.9 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), 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 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2643 v3 vs Xeon E5-2687W Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2643 v3

The Xeon E5-2643 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) 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 (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,265 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2687W

The Xeon E5-2687W 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 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2643 v3 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E5-2643 v3 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2643 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2643 v3 scores 10,265 against the Xeon E5-2687W's 10,036 — a 2.3% lead for the Xeon E5-2643 v3. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2643 v3 vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W.

Feature	Xeon E5-2643 v3	Xeon E5-2687W
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	8 / 16+33%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+10%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)	20480 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	10,265+2%	10,036

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2643 v3	Xeon E5-2687W
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2643 v3 was priced at $219, while the Xeon E5-2687W came in at $1885. On launch pricing ($219 vs $1885), Xeon E5-2643 v3 was $1666 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2643 v3 delivers 46.9 pts/$ vs 5.3 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2687W — making the Xeon E5-2643 v3 the 159.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2643 v3	Xeon E5-2687W
MSRP	$219-88%	$1885
Performance per Dollar	46.9+785%	5.3
Release Date	2014	2012

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