Xeon E5-4607 vs Xeon X5690

Intel

Xeon E5-4607

6 Cores12 Thrd95 WWMax: 2.2 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Xeon X5690

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.73 GHz2011

Xeon E5-4607 vs Xeon X5690 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 E5-4607 vs Xeon X5690 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 E5-4607 vs Xeon X5690: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-4607

2012

Why buy it

  • βœ…+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
  • βœ…Draws 95W instead of 130W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5690 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (6,986 vs 7,031).

Xeon X5690

2011

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).
  • ❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4607 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • ❌36.8% higher power demand at 130W vs 95W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon X5690 better than Xeon E5-4607?
Yes. Xeon X5690 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.6% 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 X5690 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.6% 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 X5690 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon X5690 is the better buy right now. Xeon X5690 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $250 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4607 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-4607 vs Xeon X5690 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E5-4607

The Xeon E5-4607 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,986 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon X5690

The Xeon X5690 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,031 points. Launch price was $205.

⚑

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E5-4607 and Xeon X5690 share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4607 versus 3.73 GHz on the Xeon X5690 β€” a 51.6% clock advantage for the Xeon X5690 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 3.46 GHz). The Xeon E5-4607 uses the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture (32 nm), while the Xeon X5690 uses Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4607 scores 6,986 against the Xeon X5690's 7,031 β€” a 0.6% lead for the Xeon X5690. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4607 vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon X5690.

FeatureXeon E5-4607Xeon X5690
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
2.2 GHz
3.73 GHz+70%
Base Clock
2.2 GHz
3.46 GHz+57%
L3 Cache
15 MB (total)+25%
12288 kB (total)
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
Westmere-EP (2010βˆ’2011)
PassMark
6,986
7,031
Cinebench R23 Multi
β€”
3,000
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4607 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon X5690 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-4607Xeon X5690
Socket
LGA2011
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR3-1333
RAM Channels
β€”
3
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-4607) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5690). Primary use case: Xeon X5690 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5690 rivals Core i7-980X.

FeatureXeon E5-4607Xeon X5690
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
Unlocked
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
β€”
Workstation