Xeon E5-2660 v2 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-2660 v2 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-2660 v2 vs Xeon E5-4640 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 E5-2660 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,466 less on MSRP ($1,393 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
✅Delivers 104.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.4 vs 3.6 PassMark/$ ($1,393 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
✅Draws 95W instead of 105W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,353 vs 10,372).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).

Xeon E5-4640 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.6 vs 7.4 PassMark/$ ($2,859 MSRP vs $1,393 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2660 v2 better than Xeon E5-4640 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2660 v2 is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 v3 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4640 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2660 v2 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2660 v2 comes in $1,466 cheaper on MSRP at $1,393 MSRP versus $2,859 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4640 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 104.9% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 3.6 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4640 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013), 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2660 v2 vs Xeon E5-4640 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2660 v2

The Xeon E5-2660 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 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,353 points. Launch price was $850.

Xeon E5-4640 v3

The Xeon E5-4640 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 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,372 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2660 v2 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 versus 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — a 14.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2660 v2 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-2660 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2660 v2 scores 10,353 against the Xeon E5-4640 v3's 10,372 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-4640 v3. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2660 v2 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v2	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	12 / 24+20%
Boost Clock	3 GHz+15%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+16%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)	30 MB (total)+20%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	10,353	10,372
Geekbench 6 Single	—	750
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	7,000

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3-1866 memory speed. Both support up to 768 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2660 v2) and C612 (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v2	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4-1866
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

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2660 v2) / Yes (Xeon E5-4640 v3).

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v2	Xeon E5-4640 v3
Integrated GPU	No	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2660 v2 was priced at $1393, while the Xeon E5-4640 v3 came in at $2859. On launch pricing ($1393 vs $2859), Xeon E5-2660 v2 was $1466 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2660 v2 delivers 7.4 pts/$ vs 3.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4640 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2660 v2 the 68.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2660 v2	Xeon E5-4640 v3
MSRP	$1393-51%	$2859
Performance per Dollar	7.4+106%	3.6
Release Date	2013	2015

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