Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon E7-8891 v3

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 E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon E7-8891 v3 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 E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon E7-8891 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2697A v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $3,950 less on MSRP ($2,891 MSRP vs $6,841 MSRP).
✅Delivers 136.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 7.5 vs 3.2 PassMark/$ ($2,891 MSRP vs $6,841 MSRP).
✅Draws 145W instead of 165W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E7-8891 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Xeon E7-8891 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,615 vs 21,621).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.2 vs 7.5 PassMark/$ ($6,841 MSRP vs $2,891 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697A v4 better than Xeon E7-8891 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E7-8891 v3 is ahead with a 6.1% 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% 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% 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 $3,950 cheaper on MSRP at $2,891 MSRP versus $6,841 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E7-8891 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 136.7% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 3.2 PassMark/$), 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 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 16 cores / 32 threads instead of 10/20. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon E7-8891 v3 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon E7-8891 v3

The Xeon E7-8891 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EX (2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333/1600/1866, DDR3-1066/1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 21,615 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2697A v4 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon E7-8891 v3 offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2697A v4 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E7-8891 v3 — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-2697A v4 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E7-8891 v3 uses Haswell-EX (2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2697A v4 scores 21,621 against the Xeon E7-8891 v3's 21,615 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E5-2697A v4. L3 cache: 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs 45 MB (total) on the Xeon E7-8891 v3.

Feature	Xeon E5-2697A v4	Xeon E7-8891 v3
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+60%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.8 GHz+8%
L3 Cache	40 MB	45 MB (total)+13%
L2 Cache	4 MB	256K (per core)+6300%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Haswell-EX (2015)
PassMark	21,621	21,615
Geekbench 6 Single	—	900
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	9,500

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA2011 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Xeon E5-2697A v4	Xeon E7-8891 v3
Socket	LGA2011	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-1866
Max RAM Capacity	—	1536 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	32

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2697A v4) / Yes (Xeon E7-8891 v3).

Feature	Xeon E5-2697A v4	Xeon E7-8891 v3
Integrated GPU	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	Yes

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-2697A v4 was priced at $2891, while the Xeon E7-8891 v3 came in at $6841. On launch pricing ($2891 vs $6841), Xeon E5-2697A v4 was $3950 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-2697A v4 delivers 7.5 pts/$ vs 3.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E7-8891 v3 — making the Xeon E5-2697A v4 the 81.2% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-2697A v4	Xeon E7-8891 v3
MSRP	$2891-58%	$6841
Performance per Dollar	7.5+134%	3.2
Release Date	2016	2015

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