Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 v4

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 E5-2697 v4 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 E5-2697 v4: 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

✅+1.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 135W instead of 145W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon E5-2697 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,990 vs 21,277).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2673 v4 better than Xeon E5-2697 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2697 v4 is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2673 v4 pulls ahead with 1.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2673 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2673 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2673 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.4% better PassMark.

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 more multi-core headroom with 20 cores / 40 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs Xeon E5-2697 v4 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 E5-2697 v4

The Xeon E5-2697 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 20,990 points. Launch price was $2,702.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697 v4 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 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v4 — a 44.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2697 v4 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). Both are built on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2673 v4 scores 21,277 against the Xeon E5-2697 v4's 20,990 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2673 v4. L3 cache: 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2673 v4 vs 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2697 v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-2673 v4	Xeon E5-2697 v4
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+11%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	2.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+57%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	50 MB+11%	45 MB
L2 Cache	5 MB+11%	4.5 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	21,277+1%	20,990

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2673 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.