Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6128

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 Gold 6128 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 Gold 6128: 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

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,090 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6128 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon Gold 6128

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 115W instead of 120W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (12,887 vs 12,944).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6128 better than Xeon E5-2685 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6128 is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2685 v3 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2685 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2685 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 55.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 19 MB).

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

Xeon Gold 6128 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2685 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 6128 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $2,090 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2685 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2685 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6128 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs Xeon Gold 6128 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 Gold 6128

The Xeon Gold 6128 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 12,887 points. Launch price was $1,697.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6128 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2685 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6128 — a 11.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6128 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6128 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2685 v3 scores 12,944 against the Xeon Gold 6128's 12,887 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2685 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2685 v3 vs 19.25 MB on the Xeon Gold 6128.

Feature	Xeon E5-2685 v3	Xeon Gold 6128
Cores / Threads	12 / 12+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.7 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	3.4 GHz+31%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+56%	19.25 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+4167%	6 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	12,944	12,887

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2685 v3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon Gold 6128 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.