Xeon E5-2697 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6136

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 E5-2697 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6136 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 E5-2697 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6136: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2697 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+81.8% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 25 MB).
✅Draws 145W instead of 150W, a 5W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (20,990 vs 21,049).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6136

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 45 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6136 better than Xeon E5-2697 v4?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-2697 v4 is ahead with a 9.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6136 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Xeon E5-2697 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 25 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6136 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.

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

Xeon Gold 6136 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Gold 6136 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark.

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

Xeon Gold 6136 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016), more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 18/36, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2697 v4 vs Xeon Gold 6136 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2697 v4

The Xeon E5-2697 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 18 cores and 36 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 4.5 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: 20,990 points. Launch price was $2,702.

Xeon Gold 6136

The Xeon Gold 6136 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 24.75 MB. L2 cache: 12 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,049 points. Launch price was $2,460.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2697 v4 packs 18 cores / 36 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6136 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2697 v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v4 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6136 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6136 (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon E5-2697 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6136 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2697 v4 scores 20,990 against the Xeon Gold 6136's 21,049 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon Gold 6136. L3 cache: 45 MB on the Xeon E5-2697 v4 vs 24.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 6136.

Feature	Xeon E5-2697 v4	Xeon Gold 6136
Cores / Threads	18 / 36+50%	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3 GHz+30%
L3 Cache	45 MB+82%	24.75 MB
L2 Cache	4.5 MB	12 MB+167%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	20,990	21,049

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2697 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6136 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.