Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3

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 E5-2686 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3 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 E5-2686 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2686 V3

2014

Why buy it

✅+28.6% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 35 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 145W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,148 vs 18,182).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,500 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2697 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon E5-2697 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (35 MB vs 45 MB).
❌20.8% higher power demand at 145W vs 120W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697 v3 better than Xeon E5-2686 V3?

Yes. Xeon E5-2697 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.2% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2697 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.2% 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 E5-2697 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2697 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-2686 V3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2697 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-2686 V3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2697 v3 is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2686 V3

The Xeon E5-2686 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 18,148 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2697 v3

The Xeon E5-2697 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 18,182 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2686 V3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697 v3 offers 14 cores / 28 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 V3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v3 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2697 v3 (base: 2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2686 V3 scores 18,148 against the Xeon E5-2697 v3's 18,182 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon E5-2697 v3. L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs 35 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2697 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon E5-2697 v3
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+29%	14 / 28
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2 GHz	2.6 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	45 MB (total)+29%	35 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	18,148	18,182
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,033	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,649	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon E5-2697 v3
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—