Xeon E5-2678 v3 vs Xeon W-1290TE

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 E5-2678 v3 vs Xeon W-1290TE 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 E5-2678 v3 vs Xeon W-1290TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Xeon E5-2678 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290TE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌242.9% higher power demand at 120W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon W-1290TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon W-1290TE

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 35W instead of 120W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics P630, while Xeon E5-2678 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (14,505 vs 14,653).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $552 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2678 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290TE better than Xeon E5-2678 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290TE is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2678 v3 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2678 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2678 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% 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 W-1290TE is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1290TE comes in at an unclear MSRP at $552 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2678 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 W-1290TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2678 v3 vs Xeon W-1290TE Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2678 v3

The Xeon E5-2678 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3072 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,653 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1290TE

The Xeon W-1290TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,505 points. Launch price was $552.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2678 v3 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1290TE offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2678 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2678 v3 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-1290TE — a 30.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290TE (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2678 v3 uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2678 v3 scores 14,653 against the Xeon W-1290TE's 14,505 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2678 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E5-2678 v3 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290TE.

Feature	Xeon E5-2678 v3	Xeon W-1290TE
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.5 GHz+36%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB+50%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3072 kB+1100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	14,653+1%	14,505
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,507
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,478

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2678 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1290TE uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2678 v3	Xeon W-1290TE
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2678 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-1290TE). The Xeon W-1290TE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics P630), while the Xeon E5-2678 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon W-1290TE targets Workstation.