Xeon E5-2689 vs Xeon E7450

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 E5-2689 vs Xeon E7450 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 E5-2689 vs Xeon E7450: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2689

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,922 vs 9,932).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.5 vs 23.8 PassMark/$ ($1,800 MSRP vs $417 MSRP).
❌27.8% higher power demand at 115W vs 90W.

Xeon E7450

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $1,383 less on MSRP ($417 MSRP vs $1,800 MSRP).
✅Delivers 332.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 23.8 vs 5.5 PassMark/$ ($417 MSRP vs $1,800 MSRP).
✅Draws 90W instead of 115W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2689 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 20 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7450 better than Xeon E5-2689?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2689 is ahead with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7450 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2689 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7450 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E7450 is the better buy right now. Xeon E7450 comes in $1,383 cheaper on MSRP at $417 MSRP versus $1,800 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2689 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 332.1% better value on MSRP (23.8 vs 5.5 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2689 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2008) and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2689 vs Xeon E7450 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2689

The Xeon E5-2689 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 115 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,922 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E7450

The Xeon E7450 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Base frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA604. Thermal design power (TDP): 90 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 9,932 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2689 is built on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2689 scores 9,922 against the Xeon E7450's 9,932 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E7450. L3 cache: 20 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2689 vs 12 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7450.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Xeon E7450
Cores / Threads	8 / 16	—
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	—
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+8%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	20 MB (total)+67%	12 MB L3 Cache
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	—
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)	—
PassMark	9,922	9,932

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2689 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E7450 uses PGA604 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Xeon E7450
Socket	LGA2011	PGA604
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2689 was priced at $1800, while the Xeon E7450 came in at $417. On launch pricing ($1800 vs $417), Xeon E7450 was $1383 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2689 delivers 5.5 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Xeon E7450 — making the Xeon E7450 the 124.8% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2689	Xeon E7450
MSRP	$1800	$417-77%
Performance per Dollar	5.5	23.8+333%
Release Date	2012	2008

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