Xeon E5-2687W vs Xeon W-2125

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 vs Xeon W-2125 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 vs Xeon W-2125: 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

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+142.4% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8.3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.3 vs 22.5 PassMark/$ ($1,885 MSRP vs $444 MSRP).
❌25% higher power demand at 150W vs 120W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon W-2125

2017

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,441 less on MSRP ($444 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 323.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.5 vs 5.3 PassMark/$ ($444 MSRP vs $1,885 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 150W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,000 vs 10,036).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8.3 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-2125 better than Xeon E5-2687W?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-2125 is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2687W pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2687W also has the bigger cache pool with 142.4% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8.3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2687W is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 142.4% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8.3 MB).

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

Xeon W-2125 is the better buy right now. Xeon W-2125 comes in $1,441 cheaper on MSRP at $444 MSRP versus $1,885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2687W is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 323.0% better value on MSRP (22.5 vs 5.3 PassMark/$), 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-2125 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2687W vs Xeon W-2125 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2687W

The Xeon E5-2687W is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 10,036 points. Launch price was $815.

Xeon W-2125

The Xeon W-2125 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400, DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,000 points. Launch price was $444.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2687W packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon W-2125 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2687W has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2687W versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon W-2125 — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Xeon W-2125 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Xeon E5-2687W uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon W-2125 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2687W scores 10,036 against the Xeon W-2125's 10,000 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2687W. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2687W vs 8.25 MB (total) on the Xeon W-2125.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W	Xeon W-2125
Cores / Threads	8 / 16+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.5 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	4 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	20480 kB (total)+142%	8.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB (per core)+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	10,036	10,000

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2687W uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon W-2125 uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W	Xeon W-2125
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2066
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	—	512 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	48

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2687W) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon W-2125). Primary use case: Xeon W-2125 targets Workstation.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W	Xeon W-2125
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	Yes
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Workstation

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2687W was priced at $1885, while the Xeon W-2125 came in at $444. On launch pricing ($1885 vs $444), Xeon W-2125 was $1441 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2687W delivers 5.3 pts/$ vs 22.5 pts/$ for the Xeon W-2125 — making the Xeon W-2125 the 123.5% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2687W	Xeon W-2125
MSRP	$1885	$444-76%
Performance per Dollar	5.3	22.5+325%
Release Date	2012	2017

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