Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6240

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 6240 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 6240: 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

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+122.2% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 25 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Gold 6240

2019

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (24,918 vs 24,938).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 55 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2696 v4 better than Xeon Gold 6240?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6240 is ahead with a 1.7% 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 0.1% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2696 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 25 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 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 22 cores and 44 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 122.2% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 25 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 0.1% better PassMark.

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

Xeon Gold 6240 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6240 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 6240

The Xeon Gold 6240 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 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 18 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 24,918 points. Launch price was $2,445.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 packs 22 cores / 44 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6240 offers 18 cores / 36 threads — the Xeon E5-2696 v4 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6240 — a 8% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6240 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6240 uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2696 v4 scores 24,938 against the Xeon Gold 6240's 24,918 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2696 v4. L3 cache: 55 MB on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6240.

Feature	Xeon E5-2696 v4	Xeon Gold 6240
Cores / Threads	22 / 44+22%	18 / 36
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.6 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	55 MB+122%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	5.5 MB	18 MB+227%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark	24,938	24,918

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6240 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.