Xeon E5-2698 v3 vs Xeon W-1290E

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 E5-2698 v3 vs Xeon W-1290E 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 E5-2698 v3 vs Xeon W-1290E: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-2698 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (40 MB vs 20 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290E across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (18,870 vs 19,060).
❌42.1% higher power demand at 135W vs 95W.

Xeon W-1290E

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 95W instead of 135W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 40 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon W-1290E better than Xeon E5-2698 v3?

Yes. Xeon W-1290E is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1% 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-1290E is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.0% 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-1290E is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads.

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

Xeon W-1290E still makes the most sense overall. Xeon W-1290E comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon W-1290E makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2014) and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 16/32. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-2698 v3 vs Xeon W-1290E Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-2698 v3

The Xeon E5-2698 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 40 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 18,870 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon W-1290E

The Xeon W-1290E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 13 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 19,060 points. Launch price was $552.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2698 v3 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon W-1290E offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-2698 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-2698 v3 versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon W-1290E — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290E (base: 2.3 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Xeon E5-2698 v3 uses the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon W-1290E uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-2698 v3 scores 18,870 against the Xeon W-1290E's 19,060 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W-1290E. L3 cache: 40 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2698 v3 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290E.

Feature	Xeon E5-2698 v3	Xeon W-1290E
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+60%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.8 GHz+33%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz	3.5 GHz+52%
L3 Cache	40 MB (total)+100%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	18,870	19,060+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2698 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon W-1290E uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.