Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5415+

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 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5415+ 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 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5415+: 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+144.4% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 23 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5415+ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Older platform position on FCLGA2011-3 with DDR4, while Xeon Gold 5415+ moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 5415+

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of FCLGA2011-3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,842 vs 24,938).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (23 MB vs 55 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2696 v4 better than Xeon Gold 5415+?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 5415+ is ahead with a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2696 v4 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2696 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 144.4% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 23 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2696 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 22 cores and 44 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 144.4% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 23 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2696 v4 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2696 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Xeon Gold 5415+ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2016) and a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of FCLGA2011-3. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon Gold 5415+ Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2696 v4

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 22 cores and 44 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 55 MB. L2 cache: 5.5 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCLGA2011-3. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 24,938 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon Gold 5415+

The Xeon Gold 5415+ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 24,842 points. Launch price was $1,076.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 packs 22 cores / 44 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5415+ offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 v4 has 14 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 versus 4.1 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5415+ — a 13% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5415+ (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5415+ uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2696 v4 scores 24,938 against the Xeon Gold 5415+'s 24,842 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E5-2696 v4. L3 cache: 55 MB on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs 22.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 5415+.

Feature	Xeon E5-2696 v4	Xeon Gold 5415+
Cores / Threads	22 / 44+175%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.1 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.9 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	55 MB+144%	22.5 MB
L2 Cache	5.5 MB+175%	2 MB (per core)
Process	14 nm	10 nm-29%
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	24,938	24,842

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 5415+ uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.