Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs M3 Pro 12-Core

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2679 v4

#490

EPYC 7H12

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $1340

112%

#491

EPYC 7742

MSRP: $6950|Avg: $800

112%

#492

Xeon Platinum 8352M

MSRP: $4471|Avg: $4471

111%

#493

Xeon Platinum 8570

MSRP: $9595|Avg: $9595

109%

#494

EPYC 9184X

MSRP: $4928|Avg: $3750

108%

#495

Xeon Platinum 8470

MSRP: $9359|Avg: $9359

108%

#496

Xeon E7-8857 v2

MSRP: $3838|Avg: $2995

106%

#497

Xeon Gold 6148

MSRP: $3072|Avg: $290

106%

#498

Xeon E5-1681 V3

MSRP: $1589|Avg: $200

104%

#499

Xeon W-3275

MSRP: $4449|Avg: $1550

104%

#500

Xeon Gold 6138

MSRP: $2612|Avg: $300

103%

#501

Xeon E5-2690 v4

MSRP: $2090|Avg: $389

103%

#502

Xeon Platinum 8362

MSRP: $6236|Avg: $5740

102%

#503

Xeon W-3275M

MSRP: $4449|Avg: $4449

102%

#504

Xeon E5-2660 v3

MSRP: $1445|Avg: $150

101%

#505

Xeon E5-2679 v4

MSRP: $2702|Avg: $500

100%

#506

Xeon E5-2680 v3

MSRP: $1745|Avg: $212

95%

#507

Xeon Platinum 8562Y+

MSRP: $5945|Avg: $7000

95%

#508

Xeon E7-8895 v2

MSRP: $6841|Avg: $65

94%

#509

EPYC 9684X

MSRP: $14756|Avg: $14756

93%

#509

EPYC 9754

MSRP: $11900|Avg: $10631

93%

#511

Xeon D-1587

MSRP: $1652|Avg: $1443

92%

#512

Xeon E5-2687W v4

MSRP: $2141|Avg: $1138

92%

#513

Xeon W-3265

MSRP: $3684|Avg: $3400

91%

#514

Xeon E5-2658A V3

MSRP: $1832|Avg: $200

91%

#515

Xeon E5-4640 v4

MSRP: $2837|Avg: N/A

89%

#516

Xeon E7-8867 v3

MSRP: $4672|Avg: $4672

88%

#517

Xeon Gold 6150

MSRP: $3358|Avg: $196

88%

#518

Xeon E5-1680 v3

MSRP: $1723|Avg: $200

86%

#519

Xeon E5-2690 v3

MSRP: $2090|Avg: $85

86%

#520

Xeon 6780E

MSRP: $11350|Avg: $8513

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar M3 Pro 12-Core

#206

M3 Pro 12-Core

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The M3 Pro 12-Core (2023) utilizes 3 nm technology and LPDDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2679 v4	M3 Pro 12-Core
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($500)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Legacy / 3 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 (2016) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E5-2679 v4	M3 Pro 12-Core
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($500)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Xeon E5-2679 v4 Benchmark Check

M3 Pro 12-Core Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2679 v4 and M3 Pro 12-Core

Xeon E5-2679 v4

The Xeon E5-2679 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 50 MB. L2 cache: 5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 24,131 points. Launch price was $800.

M3 Pro 12-Core

The M3 Pro 12-Core is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 30 October 2023 (2 years ago). It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.748 GHz, with boost up to 4.06 GHz. Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: none. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 24,170 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the M3 Pro 12-Core offers 12 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2679 v4 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 versus 4.06 GHz on the M3 Pro 12-Core — a 20.7% clock advantage for the M3 Pro 12-Core (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.748 GHz). The Xeon E5-2679 v4 is built on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2679 v4 scores 24,131 against the M3 Pro 12-Core's 24,170 — a 0.2% lead for the M3 Pro 12-Core.

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	M3 Pro 12-Core
Cores / Threads	20 / 40+67%	12 / 12
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.06 GHz+23%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.748 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	50 MB	—
L2 Cache	5 MB	—
Process	14 nm	3 nm-79%
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	—
PassMark	24,131	24,170
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	12,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the M3 Pro 12-Core uses none (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2679 v4	M3 Pro 12-Core
Socket	LGA2011-3	none
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—