Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon E5-4627 v4

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 E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon E5-4627 v4 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 E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon E5-4627 v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2685 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Costs $410 less on MSRP ($2,090 MSRP vs $2,500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 19.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 6.2 vs 5.2 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $2,500 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 135W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,944 vs 12,969).

Xeon E5-4627 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2685 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 30 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.2 vs 6.2 PassMark/$ ($2,500 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2685 v3 better than Xeon E5-4627 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2685 v3 is ahead with a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4627 v4 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2685 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4627 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Xeon E5-2685 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2685 v3 comes in $410 cheaper on MSRP at $2,090 MSRP versus $2,500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4627 v4 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 19.4% better value on MSRP (6.2 vs 5.2 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4627 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 10 threads instead of 12/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon E5-4627 v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2685 v3

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 12,944 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-4627 v4

The Xeon E5-4627 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB. L2 cache: 2.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 12,969 points. Launch price was $2,225.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-4627 v4 offers 10 cores / 10 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4627 v4 — a 3.1% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2685 v3 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-4627 v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2685 v3 scores 12,944 against the Xeon E5-4627 v4's 12,969 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-4627 v4. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs 25 MB on the Xeon E5-4627 v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-2685 v3	Xeon E5-4627 v4
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+20%	10 / 10
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+3%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+20%	25 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+10140%	2.5 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	12,944	12,969
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,105
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,936

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E5-4627 v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2685 v3	Xeon E5-4627 v4
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2685 v3) / Yes (Xeon E5-4627 v4).

Feature	Xeon E5-2685 v3	Xeon E5-4627 v4
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2685 v3 was priced at $2090, while the Xeon E5-4627 v4 came in at $2500. On launch pricing ($2090 vs $2500), Xeon E5-2685 v3 was $410 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2685 v3 delivers 6.2 pts/$ vs 5.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4627 v4 — making the Xeon E5-2685 v3 the 17.7% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2685 v3	Xeon E5-4627 v4
MSRP	$2090-16%	$2500
Performance per Dollar	6.2+19%	5.2
Release Date	2014	2016

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