Xeon E5-2696 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697A v4

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 E5-2696 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 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 E5-2696 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697A v4: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2696 V3

2014

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,435 vs 21,621).

Xeon E5-2697A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $2,891 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2696 V3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697A v4 better than Xeon E5-2696 V3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2696 V3 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2697A v4 pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

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

Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2697A v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,891 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2696 V3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-2697A v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 18/36. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2696 V3 vs Xeon E5-2697A v4 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2696 V3

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4 2133 MHz Quad-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 21,435 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon E5-2697A v4

The Xeon E5-2697A 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 145 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133, DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 21,621 points. Launch price was $2,891.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 V3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 V3 versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2696 V3 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2696 V3 scores 21,435 against the Xeon E5-2697A v4's 21,621 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2697A v4. L3 cache: 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2696 V3 vs 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4.

Feature	Xeon E5-2696 V3	Xeon E5-2697A v4
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+13%	16 / 32
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	2.6 GHz+13%
L3 Cache	45 MB (total)+13%	40 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	21,435	21,621

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2696 V3 uses the LGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.