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 W-3225 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 W-3225: 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

✅+172.7% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 17 MB).
✅Draws 120W instead of 160W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-3225 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (10,000 vs 11,500).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 12.1 vs 13.8 PassMark/$ ($1,500 MSRP vs $1,319 MSRP).

Xeon W-3225

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $181 less on MSRP ($1,319 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
✅Delivers 14.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.8 vs 12.1 PassMark/$ ($1,319 MSRP vs $1,500 MSRP).
✅60% more PCIe lanes (64 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 45 MB).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 160W vs 120W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-3225 better than Xeon E5-2686 V3?

Yes. Xeon W-3225 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 15% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 0.6% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-3225 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 15.8% 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 W-3225 is the stronger fit. You are getting 15% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon W-3225 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-3225 comes in $181 cheaper on MSRP at $1,319 MSRP versus $1,500 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 14.4% better value on MSRP (13.8 vs 12.1 PassMark/$), 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 W-3225 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 18/36, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs Xeon W-3225 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 W-3225

The Xeon W-3225 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 June 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 18,251 points. Launch price was $1,199.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2686 V3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon W-3225 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 V3 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 versus 4.4 GHz on the Xeon W-3225 — a 22.8% clock advantage for the Xeon W-3225 (base: 2 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-3225 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2686 V3 scores 18,148 against the Xeon W-3225's 18,251 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon W-3225. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 10,000 vs 11,500 (14% advantage for the Xeon W-3225). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,033 vs 1,150, a 10.7% lead for the Xeon W-3225 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 8,649 vs 9,100 (5.1% advantage for the Xeon W-3225). L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon W-3225.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon W-3225
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.4 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.7 GHz+85%
L3 Cache	45 MB (total)+173%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+3100%	8 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	18,148	18,251
Cinebench R23 Multi	10,000	11,500+15%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,033	1,150+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,649	9,100+5%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2686 V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-3225 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-2686 V3 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon W-3225 — the Xeon W-3225 supports 37.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon W-3225 supports up to 1024 GB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) vs 6 (Xeon W-3225). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) vs 64 (Xeon W-3225) — the Xeon W-3225 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 V3) and C621 (Xeon W-3225).

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon W-3225
Socket	LGA2011-3	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2933+38%
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	1024 GB+33%
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	64+60%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon W-3225 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-2686 V3) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon W-3225). Primary use case: Xeon W-3225 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon W-3225 rivals Ryzen Threadripper 2920X.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon W-3225
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2686 V3 was priced at $1500, while the Xeon W-3225 came in at $1319. On launch pricing ($1500 vs $1319), Xeon W-3225 was $181 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2686 V3 delivers 12.1 pts/$ vs 13.8 pts/$ for the Xeon W-3225 — making the Xeon W-3225 the 13.4% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 V3	Xeon W-3225
MSRP	$1500	$1319-12%
Performance per Dollar	12.1	13.8+14%
Release Date	2014	2019

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