Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3

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 E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3 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 E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2658 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+40% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 160W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,434 vs 14,538).

Xeon E5-2687W v3

2014

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 35 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,141 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2658 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌52.4% higher power demand at 160W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W v3 better than Xeon E5-2658 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2687W v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.4% 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 E5-2687W v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.4% 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 E5-2687W v3 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 E5-2687W v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2687W v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,141 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2658 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) and 40% larger total L3 cache (35 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2687W v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2658 v4

The Xeon E5-2658 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 14 cores and 28 threads. Max frequency: 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 14,434 points. Launch price was $1,832.

Xeon E5-2687W v3

The Xeon E5-2687W v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,538 points. Launch price was $800.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2658 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v3 — a 41.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v3. The Xeon E5-2658 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2658 v4 scores 14,434 against the Xeon E5-2687W v3's 14,538 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W v3. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658 v4	Xeon E5-2687W v3
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+40%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+52%
Base Clock	—	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	35 MB+40%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3.5 MB	256K (per core)+7214%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,434	14,538

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2658 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2687W v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658 v4	Xeon E5-2687W v3
Socket	FCLGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40