Xeon E5-2687W v3 vs Xeon Silver 4123

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 E5-2687W v3 vs Xeon Silver 4123 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 E5-2687W v3 vs Xeon Silver 4123: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2687W v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+127.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 11 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,141 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4123 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌52.4% higher power demand at 160W vs 105W.

Xeon Silver 4123

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 105W instead of 160W, a 55W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,405 vs 14,538).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (11 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W v3 better than Xeon Silver 4123?

Yes. Xeon E5-2687W v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2687W v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.2% 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 E5-2687W v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 127.3% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 11 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2687W v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2687W v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,141 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Silver 4123 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2687W v3 vs Xeon Silver 4123 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2687W v3

The Xeon E5-2687W v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 14,538 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Silver 4123

The Xeon Silver 4123 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 14,405 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2687W v3 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon Silver 4123 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v3 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4123 — a 9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2687W v3 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2687W v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2687W v3 scores 14,538 against the Xeon Silver 4123's 14,405 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W v3. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W v3 vs 11 MB on the Xeon Silver 4123.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W v3	Xeon Silver 4123
Cores / Threads	10 / 20+25%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+3%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+127%	11 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	—
PassMark	14,538	14,405

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2687W v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4123 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.