Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs Xeon E7-4830

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 E7-4830 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 E7-4830: 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

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,822 vs 10,382).
❌38.1% higher power demand at 145W vs 105W.

Xeon E7-4830

2011

Why buy it

✅+52.2% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 105W instead of 145W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2686 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (24 MB vs 45 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7-4830 better than Xeon E5-2686 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2686 v4 is ahead with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4830 pulls ahead with 52.2% better Geekbench multi-core. Xeon E5-2686 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4830 is the stronger fit. You are getting 52.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon E7-4830 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E7-4830 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 52.2% better Geekbench multi-core.

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 2011) and 87.5% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 24 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs Xeon E7-4830 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 E7-4830

The Xeon E7-4830 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EX (2011) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-978, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, Speed-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 19,981 points. Launch price was $2,059.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon E7-4830 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 has 10 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 versus 2.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4830 — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2686 v4 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E7-4830 uses Westmere-EX (2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2686 v4 scores 19,860 against the Xeon E7-4830's 19,981 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E7-4830. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 895 vs 1,696, a 61.8% lead for the Xeon E7-4830 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,822 vs 10,382 (41.4% advantage for the Xeon E7-4830). L3 cache: 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 vs 24 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-4830.

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 v4	Xeon E7-4830
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+125%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+8%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	45 MB+88%	24 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4.5 MB+1700%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Westmere-EX (2011)
PassMark	19,860	19,981
Geekbench 6 Single	895	1,696+89%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,822	10,382+52%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2686 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E7-4830 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Xeon E5-2686 v4 versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon E7-4830 — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4830 supports up to 2048 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2686 v4) vs 0 (Xeon E7-4830) — the Xeon E5-2686 v4 offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C612,X99 (Xeon E5-2686 v4) and Boxboro (Xeon E7-4830).

Feature	Xeon E5-2686 v4	Xeon E7-4830
Socket	FCLGA2011-3	LGA1567
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+80%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	2048 GB+33%
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	0