Xeon E5-2650 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2650 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2650 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2650 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,290 vs 13,377).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,166 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2690 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 v2 better than Xeon E5-2650 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2690 v2 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2690 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% 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 E5-2690 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2690 v2 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2650 v4 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2690 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,166 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2650 v4 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (11.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-2650 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2013), 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2650 v4 vs Xeon E5-2690 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2650 v4

The Xeon E5-2650 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,290 points. Launch price was $1,166.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 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 3 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): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2650 v4 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2650 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 — a 21.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2690 v2 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2650 v4 uses the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2650 v4 scores 13,290 against the Xeon E5-2690 v2's 13,377 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v2. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650 v4 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650 v4	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.6 GHz+24%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3 GHz+36%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+20%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-EP (2016)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	13,290	13,377

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 5.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650 v4	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—