Xeon E5-2650 vs Xeon Phi 7210

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 vs Xeon Phi 7210 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 vs Xeon Phi 7210: 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

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 95W instead of 215W, a 120W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Phi 7210 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon Phi 7210

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,306 vs 7,349).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,881 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2650 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌126.3% higher power demand at 215W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Phi 7210 better than Xeon E5-2650?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Phi 7210 is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2650 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon Phi 7210 is the better buy right now. Xeon Phi 7210 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $1,881 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2650 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.6% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (3.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Phi 7210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2650 vs Xeon Phi 7210 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2650

The Xeon E5-2650 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 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,349 points. Launch price was $91.

Xeon Phi 7210

The Xeon Phi 7210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Knights Landing (2016) architecture. It features 64 cores and 256 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 215 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,306 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2650 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon Phi 7210 offers 64 cores / 256 threads — the Xeon Phi 7210 has 56 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2650 versus 1.5 GHz on the Xeon Phi 7210 — a 60.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2650 (base: 2 GHz vs 1.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2650 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses Knights Landing (2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2650 scores 7,349 against the Xeon Phi 7210's 7,306 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2650. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2650 vs 0 kB (total) on the Xeon Phi 7210.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650	Xeon Phi 7210
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	64 / 256+700%
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz+87%	1.5 GHz
Base Clock	2 GHz+54%	1.3 GHz
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)	0 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Knights Landing (2016)
PassMark	7,349	7,306

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2650 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Phi 7210 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2650	Xeon Phi 7210
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—