
Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs Core Ultra 7 164U

Xeon E5-2680 v2

Core Ultra 7 164U
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
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. The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is positioned at rank 636 and the Core Ultra 7 164U is on rank 675, so the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2680 v2
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 164U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Meteor Lake-U (2023) / 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($462) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2680 v2 and Core Ultra 7 164U

Xeon E5-2680 v2
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 12,707 points. Launch price was $1,260.

Core Ultra 7 164U
The Core Ultra 7 164U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Meteor Lake-U (2023) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2551. Thermal design power (TDP): + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 12,625 points. Launch price was $448.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 164U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Core Ultra 7 164U has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus 4.8 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 164U — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 164U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses Meteor Lake-U (2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 v2 scores 12,707 against the Core Ultra 7 164U's 12,625 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2680 v2. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 164U.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 10 / 20 | 12 / 14+20% |
| Boost Clock | 3.6 GHz | 4.8 GHz+33% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+155% | 1.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 25 MB (total)+108% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 2 MB (per core)+700% |
| Process | 22 nm | 7 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) | Meteor Lake-U (2023) |
| PassMark | 12,707 | 12,625 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 8,766 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,131 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 8,973 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2680 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 7 164U uses FCBGA2551 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E5-2680 v2 versus LPDDR5x-6400 on the Core Ultra 7 164U — the Core Ultra 7 164U supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-2680 v2 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 169.2% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 2 (Core Ultra 7 164U). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) vs 12 (Core Ultra 7 164U) — the Xeon E5-2680 v2 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel X79,Intel C602 (Xeon E5-2680 v2) and Meteor Lake-U (Core Ultra 7 164U).
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | FCBGA2551 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1866 | LPDDR5x-6400+67% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 768 GB+1100% | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+233% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2680 v2) / VT-x, VT-d (Core Ultra 7 164U). The Core Ultra 7 164U includes integrated graphics (Intel Arc), while the Xeon E5-2680 v2 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 7 164U targets Enthusiast. Direct competitor: Core Ultra 7 164U rivals Ryzen 7 7840U.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2680 v2 | Core Ultra 7 164U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel Arc |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Enthusiast |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.















