Xeon E5-2670 vs Xeon E5-4648 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 E5-2670 vs Xeon E5-4648 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 E5-2670 vs Xeon E5-4648 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 E5-2670

2012

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4648 V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,901 vs 9,061).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.7 vs 53.6 PassMark/$ ($1,552 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).

Xeon E5-4648 V3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Costs $1,383 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Delivers 834.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 53.6 vs 5.7 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $1,552 MSRP).
✅Draws 105W instead of 115W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4648 V3 better than Xeon E5-2670?

Yes. Xeon E5-4648 V3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-4648 V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.0% 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 E5-4648 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4648 V3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-4648 V3 comes in $1,383 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $1,552 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 834.9% better value on MSRP (53.6 vs 5.7 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4648 V3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2670 vs Xeon E5-4648 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2670

The Xeon E5-2670 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,901 points. Launch price was $145.

Xeon E5-4648 V3

The Xeon E5-4648 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 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 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: DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,061 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2670 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-4648 V3 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-4648 V3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2670 versus 2.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4648 V3 — a 40% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2670 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-2670 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon E5-4648 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2670 scores 8,901 against the Xeon E5-4648 V3's 9,061 — a 1.8% lead for the Xeon E5-4648 V3. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2670 vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4648 V3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon E5-4648 V3
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	12 / 24+50%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+50%	2.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+53%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)	30 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	8,901	9,061+2%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2670 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5-4648 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon E5-4648 V3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011-3
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 5.0+150%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	384 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2670) / not specified (Xeon E5-4648 V3). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2670 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon E5-4648 V3
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Server	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2670 was priced at $1552, while the Xeon E5-4648 V3 came in at $169. On launch pricing ($1552 vs $169), Xeon E5-4648 V3 was $1383 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2670 delivers 5.7 pts/$ vs 53.6 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4648 V3 — making the Xeon E5-4648 V3 the 161.3% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2670	Xeon E5-4648 V3
MSRP	$1552	$169-89%
Performance per Dollar	5.7	53.6+840%
Release Date	2012	2015

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