Xeon E5-2690 v2 vs Xeon Silver 4210

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 E5-2690 v2 vs Xeon Silver 4210 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 E5-2690 v2 vs Xeon Silver 4210: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2690 v2

2013

Why buy it

✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 14 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,377 vs 13,463).
❌52.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 85W.
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Silver 4210

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 85W instead of 130W, a 45W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 25 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Silver 4210 better than Xeon E5-2690 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2690 v2 is ahead with a 2.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Silver 4210 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2690 v2 also has the bigger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 14 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Silver 4210 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon Silver 4210 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Silver 4210 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon Silver 4210 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 10/20, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2690 v2 vs Xeon Silver 4210 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2690 v2

The Xeon E5-2690 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 13,377 points. Launch price was $2,697.

Xeon Silver 4210

The Xeon Silver 4210 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 13.75 MB. L2 cache: 10 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 13,463 points. Launch price was $501.

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Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2690 v2 and Xeon Silver 4210 share an identical 10-core/20-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4210 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2690 v2 (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4210 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v2 scores 13,377 against the Xeon Silver 4210's 13,463 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Silver 4210. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v2 vs 13.75 MB on the Xeon Silver 4210.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v2	Xeon Silver 4210
Cores / Threads	10 / 20	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+12%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	25 MB (total)+82%	13.75 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	10 MB+3900%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	13,377	13,463

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2690 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4210 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.