Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon W-1390P

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 W-1390P 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 W-1390P: 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

✅+243.8% larger total L3 cache (55 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1390P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (24,938 vs 25,016).
❌20% higher power demand at 150W vs 125W.

Xeon W-1390P

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 125W instead of 150W, a 25W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 55 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Xeon E5-2696 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1390P better than Xeon E5-2696 v4?

Yes. Xeon W-1390P is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon W-1390P is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.0% 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 W-1390P is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon W-1390P is the better buy right now. Xeon W-1390P comes in at an unclear MSRP at $594 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (42.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 W-1390P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 22/44. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs Xeon W-1390P 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 W-1390P

The Xeon W-1390P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 May 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Rocket Lake-S (2021) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 25,016 points. Launch price was $539.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 packs 22 cores / 44 threads, while the Xeon W-1390P 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 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1390P — a 36.4% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1390P (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1390P uses Rocket Lake-S (2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2696 v4 scores 24,938 against the Xeon W-1390P's 25,016 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon W-1390P. L3 cache: 55 MB on the Xeon E5-2696 v4 vs 16 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1390P.

Feature	Xeon E5-2696 v4	Xeon W-1390P
Cores / Threads	22 / 44+175%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+44%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+59%
L3 Cache	55 MB+244%	16 MB (total)
L2 Cache	5.5 MB+1000%	512 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Rocket Lake-S (2021)
PassMark	24,938	25,016

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2696 v4 uses the FCLGA2011-3 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon W-1390P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.