Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon W-1390

Intel

Xeon E5-2679 v4

20 Cores40 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Xeon W-1390

8 Cores16 Thrd80 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2021

Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon W-1390 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon W-1390 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 E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon W-1390: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2679 v4

2016

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+212.5% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 16 MB).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 8.9 vs 48.4 PassMark/$ ($2,702 MSRP vs $494 MSRP).
  • ❌150% higher power demand at 200W vs 80W.

Xeon W-1390

2021

Why buy it

  • βœ…Costs $2,208 less on MSRP ($494 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 441.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 48.4 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($494 MSRP vs $2,702 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 80W instead of 200W, a 120W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2679 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (23,902 vs 24,131).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 50 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2679 v4 better than Xeon W-1390?
Yes. Xeon E5-2679 v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2679 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% 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 E5-2679 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 212.5% larger total L3 cache (50 MB vs 16 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-2679 v4 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon W-1390 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2679 v4 comes in 447.0% more expensive on MSRP at $2,702 MSRP versus $494 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon W-1390 is also 441.8% better value on MSRP (48.4 vs 8.9 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon W-1390 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs Xeon W-1390 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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 (2015βˆ’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.

Intel

Xeon W-1390

The Xeon W-1390 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 23,902 points. Launch price was $494.

⚑

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 packs 20 cores / 40 threads, while the Xeon W-1390 offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Xeon E5-2679 v4 has 12 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 versus 5.1 GHz on the Xeon W-1390 β€” a 42.9% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1390 uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2679 v4 scores 24,131 against the Xeon W-1390's 23,902 β€” a 1% lead for the Xeon E5-2679 v4. L3 cache: 50 MB on the Xeon E5-2679 v4 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390.

FeatureXeon E5-2679 v4Xeon W-1390
Cores / Threads
20 / 40+150%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
5.1 GHz+55%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.8 GHz+12%
L3 Cache
50 MB+213%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
5 MB+900%
512 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Broadwell (2015βˆ’2019)
Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark
24,131
23,902
Geekbench 6 Single
1,000
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
12,000
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2679 v4 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390 uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-2679 v4Xeon W-1390
Socket
LGA2011-3
LGA1200
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
β€”
Max RAM Capacity
1536 GB
β€”
RAM Channels
4
β€”
ECC Support
Yes
β€”
PCIe Lanes
40
β€”
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Xeon E5-2679 v4) / not specified (Xeon W-1390).

FeatureXeon E5-2679 v4Xeon W-1390
Integrated GPU
No
β€”
AVX-512
No
β€”
Virtualization
Yes
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2679 v4 was priced at $2702, while the Xeon W-1390 came in at $494. On launch pricing ($2702 vs $494), Xeon W-1390 was $2208 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2679 v4 delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 48.4 pts/$ for the Xeon W-1390 β€” making the Xeon W-1390 the 137.7% better value option.

FeatureXeon E5-2679 v4Xeon W-1390
MSRP
$2702
$494-82%
Performance per Dollar
8.9
48.4+444%
Release Date
2016
2021

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.