Xeon E5-2687W v4 vs Xeon Silver 4214R

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 v4 vs Xeon Silver 4214R 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 v4 vs Xeon Silver 4214R: 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 17 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,141 MSRP, while Xeon Silver 4214R mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌60% higher power demand at 160W vs 100W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Silver 4214R

2020

Why buy it

✅Draws 100W instead of 160W, a 60W reduction.
✅20% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2687W v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (17,489 vs 17,640).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (17 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2687W v4 better than Xeon Silver 4214R?

Yes. Xeon E5-2687W v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.3% 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 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.3% 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 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 17 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2687W v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2687W v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,141 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 4214R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2687W v4 vs Xeon Silver 4214R Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2687W v4

The Xeon E5-2687W v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 160 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,640 points. Launch price was $2,141.

Xeon Silver 4214R

The Xeon Silver 4214R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 100 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 17,489 points. Launch price was $705.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2687W v4 and Xeon Silver 4214R share an identical 12-core/24-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4214R — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2687W v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4214R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2687W v4 scores 17,640 against the Xeon Silver 4214R's 17,489 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W v4. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E5-2687W v4 vs 16.5 MB on the Xeon Silver 4214R.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W v4	Xeon Silver 4214R
Cores / Threads	12 / 24	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+25%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB+82%	16.5 MB
L2 Cache	3 MB	12 MB+300%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	17,640	17,489
Geekbench 6 Single	1,063	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	8,255	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2687W v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4214R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. The Xeon E5-2687W v4 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E5-2687W v4) vs 6 (Xeon Silver 4214R). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-2687W v4) vs 48 (Xeon Silver 4214R) — the Xeon Silver 4214R offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C610,X99 (Xeon E5-2687W v4) and C621 (Xeon Silver 4214R).

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W v4	Xeon Silver 4214R
Socket	LGA2011	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	2400
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB+50%	1024 GB
RAM Channels	4	6+50%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	48+20%

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Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Silver 4214R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-2687W v4) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Silver 4214R). Direct competitor: Xeon Silver 4214R rivals EPYC 7302P.