Xeon E5-2658A V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2658A V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2658A V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2658A V3

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 105W instead of 120W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2680 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌
5% HIGHER MSRP
$1,832 MSRPvs$1,745 MSRP

Xeon E5-2680 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $87 less on MSRP ($1,745 MSRP vs $1,832 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,864 vs 14,879).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2658A V3 better than Xeon E5-2680 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2680 v3 is ahead with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2658A V3 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2658A V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2658A V3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2680 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2658A V3 comes in 5.0% more expensive on MSRP at $1,832 MSRP versus $1,745 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2680 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2680 v3 is also 4.9% better value on MSRP (8.5 vs 8.1 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2658A V3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 12/24. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2658A V3 vs Xeon E5-2680 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2658A V3

The Xeon E5-2658A V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) 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: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,879 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2680 v3

The Xeon E5-2680 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,864 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2658A V3 and Xeon E5-2680 v3 share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Xeon E5-2658A V3 versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — a 12.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2680 v3 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2658A V3 scores 14,879 against the Xeon E5-2680 v3's 14,864 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2658A V3. Both processors carry 30 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658A V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	12 / 24
Boost Clock	2.9 GHz	3.3 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)	30 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	14,879	14,864

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2658A V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. Both support up to 768 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658A V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	768 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	40

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon E5-2658A V3 targets Server, Xeon E5-2680 v3 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658A V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	Yes	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Server	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2658A V3 was priced at $1832, while the Xeon E5-2680 v3 came in at $1745. On launch pricing ($1832 vs $1745), Xeon E5-2680 v3 was $87 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2658A V3 delivers 8.1 pts/$ vs 8.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2680 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2680 v3 the 4.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2658A V3	Xeon E5-2680 v3
MSRP	$1832	$1745-5%
Performance per Dollar	8.1	8.5+5%
Release Date	2015	2014

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