Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs Xeon Gold 5215

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 v3 vs Xeon Gold 5215 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 v3 vs Xeon Gold 5215: 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 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+118.2% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 14 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,090 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 5215 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌58.8% higher power demand at 135W vs 85W.

Xeon Gold 5215

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 85W instead of 135W, a 50W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (15,757 vs 16,027).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (14 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 v3 better than Xeon Gold 5215?

Yes. Xeon E5-2690 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2690 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.8% 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 E5-2690 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 118.2% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 14 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2690 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2690 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,090 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 5215 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs Xeon Gold 5215 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2690 v3

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 16,027 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 5215

The Xeon Gold 5215 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 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: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 15,757 points. Launch price was $1,221.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5215 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 versus 3.4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5215 — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2690 v3 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5215 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v3 scores 16,027 against the Xeon Gold 5215's 15,757 — a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs 13.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5215.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v3	Xeon Gold 5215
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+3%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+118%	13.75 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+2460%	10 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	16,027+2%	15,757

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5215 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.