Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 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 E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 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 E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 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 E5-2658 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 105W instead of 130W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon E5-2697 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,267 vs 14,434).
❌23.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2658 v4 better than Xeon E5-2697 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2697 v2 is ahead with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2658 v4 pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2658 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2658 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2658 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark.

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 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 28 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 v2 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 E5-2697 v2

The Xeon E5-2697 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 14,267 points. Launch price was $1,723.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2658 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2658 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658 v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v2 — a 41.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2697 v2. The Xeon E5-2658 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2658 v4 scores 14,434 against the Xeon E5-2697 v2's 14,267 — a 1.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2658 v4. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2658 v4 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2697 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658 v4	Xeon E5-2697 v2
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+17%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+52%
Base Clock	—	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	35 MB+17%	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3.5 MB	256K (per core)+7214%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	14,434+1%	14,267

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2658 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658 v4	Xeon E5-2697 v2
Socket	FCLGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	768 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40