Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2696 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 E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2696 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 E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2696 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 E5-2673 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 135W instead of 145W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2696 V3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (21,277 vs 21,435).

Xeon E5-2696 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2696 V3 better than Xeon E5-2673 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2696 V3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2696 V3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.0% 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 E5-2696 V3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2696 V3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2696 V3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E5-2673 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2696 V3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2673 v4

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,277 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2696 V3

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 21,435 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2673 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2673 v4 versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 V3 — a 49.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2696 V3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2673 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2673 v4 scores 21,277 against the Xeon E5-2696 V3's 21,435 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2696 V3. L3 cache: 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2696 V3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2673 v4	Xeon E5-2696 V3
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+11%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.8 GHz+65%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	50 MB+11%	45 MB (total)
L2 Cache	5 MB	256K (per core)+5020%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	21,277	21,435

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses LGA2011-3 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.