Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs Xeon w3-2423

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 w3-2423 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 w3-2423: 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

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.7 vs 44.0 PassMark/$ ($2,090 MSRP vs $359 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2423 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2423

2023

Why buy it

✅Costs $1,731 less on MSRP ($359 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Delivers 473.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 44.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$ ($359 MSRP vs $2,090 MSRP).
✅Draws 120W instead of 135W, a 15W reduction.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2690 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (15,797 vs 16,027).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (15 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2690 v3 better than Xeon w3-2423?

Yes. Xeon E5-2690 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% 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 4.2% 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 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 15 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2690 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon w3-2423 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-2690 v3 comes in 482.2% more expensive on MSRP at $2,090 MSRP versus $359 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon w3-2423 is also 473.8% better value on MSRP (44.0 vs 7.7 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon w3-2423 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2014) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs Xeon w3-2423 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 w3-2423

The Xeon w3-2423 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 15,797 points. Launch price was $359.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon w3-2423 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 versus 4.2 GHz on the Xeon w3-2423 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2423 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon w3-2423 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v3 scores 16,027 against the Xeon w3-2423's 15,797 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2690 v3. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2690 v3 vs 15 MB on the Xeon w3-2423.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v3	Xeon w3-2423
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+100%	15 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	16,027+1%	15,797

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2690 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon w3-2423 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v3	Xeon w3-2423
Socket	LGA2011	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2690 v3 was priced at $2090, while the Xeon w3-2423 came in at $359. On launch pricing ($2090 vs $359), Xeon w3-2423 was $1731 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2690 v3 delivers 7.7 pts/$ vs 44.0 pts/$ for the Xeon w3-2423 — making the Xeon w3-2423 the 140.6% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2690 v3	Xeon w3-2423
MSRP	$2090	$359-83%
Performance per Dollar	7.7	44.0+471%
Release Date	2014	2023

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