Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs Core Ultra 7 266V
Xeon E5-2690 v4
Core Ultra 7 266V
Performance Spectrum - CPU
About PassMark
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2690 v4
Performance Per Dollar Core Ultra 7 266V
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core Ultra 7 266V |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($389) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($520) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell (2015−2019) / 14 nm) | ✨ Modern (Lunar Lake (2024) / 3 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core Ultra 7 266V |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+34%) | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($389) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($520) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E5-2690 v4 and Core Ultra 7 266V
Xeon E5-2690 v4
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 35 MB. L2 cache: 3.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 19,255 points. Launch price was $2,090.
Core Ultra 7 266V
The Core Ultra 7 266V is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 September 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Lunar Lake (2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 2.5 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2833. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 19,274 points. Launch price was $299.
Processing Power
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Core Ultra 7 266V offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon E5-2690 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 versus 5 GHz on the Core Ultra 7 266V — a 35.3% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 7 266V (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses Lunar Lake (2024) (3 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2690 v4 scores 19,255 against the Core Ultra 7 266V's 19,274 — a 0.1% lead for the Core Ultra 7 266V. L3 cache: 35 MB on the Xeon E5-2690 v4 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 7 266V.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core Ultra 7 266V |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 14 / 28+75% | 8 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.5 GHz | 5 GHz+43% |
| Base Clock | 2.6 GHz+18% | 2.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 35 MB+192% | 12 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 3.5 MB+40% | 2.5 MB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 3 nm-79% |
| Architecture | Broadwell (2015−2019) | Lunar Lake (2024) |
| PassMark | 19,255 | 19,274 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Core Ultra 7 266V uses FCBGA2833 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core Ultra 7 266V |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | FCBGA2833 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 4.0 | PCIe 5.0+25% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 1536 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 4 | — |
| ECC Support | ✅ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 40 | — |
Value Analysis
The Xeon E5-2690 v4 launched at $2090 MSRP, while the Core Ultra 7 266V debuted at $520. At current prices ($389 vs $520), the Xeon E5-2690 v4 is $131 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2690 v4 delivers 49.5 pts/$ vs 37.1 pts/$ for the Core Ultra 7 266V — making the Xeon E5-2690 v4 the 28.7% better value option.
| Feature | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Core Ultra 7 266V |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $2090 | $520-75% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $389-25% | $520 |
| Performance per Dollar | 49.5+33% | 37.1 |
| Release Date | 2016 | 2024 |
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