Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon Gold 6130

Intel

Xeon E5-2697A v4

16 Cores32 Thrd145 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2016
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6130

16 Cores32 Thrd125 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Similar parts
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Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon Gold 6130 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 Gold 6130 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 Gold 6130: 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

  • Better for gaming: +11.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +81.8% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 22 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $2,891 MSRP, while Xeon Gold 6130 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 16% higher power demand at 145W vs 125W.
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6130

2017

Why buy it

  • Draws 125W instead of 145W, a 20W reduction.
  • 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 E5-2697A v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (21,500 vs 21,621).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (22 MB vs 40 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697A v4 better than Xeon Gold 6130?
Yes. Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2697A v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.7% 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 E5-2697A v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 81.8% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 22 MB).
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 at an unclear MSRP at $2,891 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6130 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016) and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs Xeon Gold 6130 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6130

The Xeon Gold 6130 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 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 22 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 21,500 points. Launch price was $1,894.

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-2697A v4 and Xeon Gold 6130 share an identical 16-core/32-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6130 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6130 (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6130 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2697A v4 scores 21,621 against the Xeon Gold 6130's 21,500 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E5-2697A v4. L3 cache: 40 MB on the Xeon E5-2697A v4 vs 22 MB on the Xeon Gold 6130.

FeatureXeon E5-2697A v4Xeon Gold 6130
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
16 / 32
Boost Clock
3.6 GHz
3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.6 GHz+24%
2.1 GHz
L3 Cache
40 MB+82%
22 MB
L2 Cache
4 MB
16 MB+300%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Broadwell (2015−2019)
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark
21,621
21,500
Cinebench R23 Multi
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,029
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,545
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2697A v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6130 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-2697A v4Xeon Gold 6130
Socket
LGA2011
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
RAM Channels
6
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-2697A v4) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6130). Primary use case: Xeon Gold 6130 targets Server / Enterprise computing. Direct competitor: Xeon Gold 6130 rivals EPYC 7301.

FeatureXeon E5-2697A v4Xeon Gold 6130
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Server / Enterprise computing