Xeon E5-2670 v3 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2670 v3 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2670 v3 vs Xeon E5-2690 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 E5-2670 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 130W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,377 vs 13,489).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2670 v3 better than Xeon E5-2690 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2690 v2 is ahead with a 1.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2670 v3 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2670 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 E5-2670 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% 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 E5-2670 v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2670 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-2670 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 E5-2670 v3 vs Xeon E5-2690 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2670 v3

The Xeon E5-2670 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 8 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 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: 13,489 points. Launch price was $1,589.

Xeon E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2670 v3 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2670 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2670 v3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 — a 14.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2690 v2 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2670 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2670 v3 scores 13,489 against the Xeon E5-2690 v2's 13,377 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2670 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2670 v3 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670 v3	Xeon E5-2690 v2
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+20%	25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark	13,489	13,377