Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs Xeon E5-2699 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2699 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 v4 vs Xeon E5-2699 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2699 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (19,860 vs 20,028).

Xeon E5-2699 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2699 v3 better than Xeon E5-2686 v4?

Yes. Xeon E5-2699 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2699 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.1% 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 E5-2699 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 18 cores and 36 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2699 v3 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2699 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E5-2686 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs Xeon E5-2699 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2686 v4

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,860 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2699 v3

The Xeon E5-2699 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 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 45 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: 20,028 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2686 v4 and Xeon E5-2699 v3 share an identical 18-core/36-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2699 v3 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2699 v3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2686 v4 scores 19,860 against the Xeon E5-2699 v3's 20,028 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-2699 v3. L3 cache: 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2699 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 v4	Xeon E5-2699 v3
Cores / Threads	18 / 36	18 / 36
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.6 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	45 MB	45 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4.5 MB	256K (per core)+5589%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	19,860	20,028
Geekbench 6 Single	895	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,822	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-2699 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 1536 GB of RAM. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 40 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 v4) and C612 (Xeon E5-2699 v3).

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 v4	Xeon E5-2699 v3
Socket	FCLGA2011-3	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	2400
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	1536 GB
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-2686 v4) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2699 v3). Direct competitor: Xeon E5-2699 v3 rivals Xeon Silver 4114.