Xeon E5-2680 v4 vs Core Ultra 5 235U

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 E5-2680 v4

#115

Xeon W-1370

MSRP: $323|Avg: $323

103%

#119

Xeon 6505P

MSRP: $563|Avg: $563

101%

#124

Xeon E5-2680 v4

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#130

EPYC 9115

MSRP: $726|Avg: $726

96%

#131

EPYC 74F3

MSRP: $913|Avg: $824

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 5 235U

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

105%

#158

Core i9-13900H

MSRP: $617|Avg: N/A

102%

#161

Core Ultra 7 268V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

101%

#162

Core Ultra 7 256V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $350

100%

#163

Core Ultra 5 235U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#167

Core Ultra 7 258V

MSRP: $450|Avg: $400

97%

#169

Core i7-1280P

MSRP: $482|Avg: $482

96%

#173

Core Ultra 5 238V

MSRP: $454|Avg: $454

92%

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

90%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

89%

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 Core Ultra 5 235U (2025) utilizes 5 nm technology and DDR5, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E5-2680 v4	Core Ultra 5 235U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-EP (2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Arrow Lake-U (2025) / 5 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E5-2680 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 E5-2680 v4	Core Ultra 5 235U
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 E5-2680 v4 Benchmark Check

Core Ultra 5 235U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2680 v4 and Core Ultra 5 235U

Xeon E5-2680 v4

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,292 points. Launch price was $1,745.

Core Ultra 5 235U

The Core Ultra 5 235U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Arrow Lake-U (2025) architecture. It features 12 cores and 14 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2049. Thermal design power (TDP): 14 MB + 12 MB. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 17,397 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Core Ultra 5 235U offers 12 cores / 14 threads — the Xeon E5-2680 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 versus 4.9 GHz on the Core Ultra 5 235U — a 39% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 5 235U (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses the Broadwell-EP (2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses Arrow Lake-U (2025) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2680 v4 scores 17,292 against the Core Ultra 5 235U's 17,397 — a 0.6% lead for the Core Ultra 5 235U. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2680 v4 vs 12 MB on the Core Ultra 5 235U.

Feature	Xeon E5-2680 v4	Core Ultra 5 235U
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+17%	12 / 14
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.9 GHz+48%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	35 MB+192%	12 MB
L2 Cache	3.5 MB	—
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Broadwell-EP (2016)	Arrow Lake-U (2025)
PassMark	17,292	17,397

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2680 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core Ultra 5 235U uses FCBGA2049 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2680 v4	Core Ultra 5 235U
Socket	LGA2011	FCBGA2049
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	1536	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	✅	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2680 v4) / not specified (Core Ultra 5 235U). Direct competitor: Xeon E5-2680 v4 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.