Xeon E5-4620 v3 vs Xeon E7540

Intel

Xeon E5-4620 v3

10 Cores20 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.6 GHz2015
VS
Intel

Xeon E7540

6 Cores12 Thrd105 WWMax: 2.27 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Xeon E5-4620 v3 vs Xeon E7540 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 E5-4620 v3 vs Xeon E7540 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 E5-4620 v3 vs Xeon E7540: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E5-4620 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +14.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).

Trade-offs

  • Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon E7540

2010

Why buy it

  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (10,376 vs 10,525).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 25 MB).
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,980 MSRP, while Xeon E5-4620 v3 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4620 v3 better than Xeon E7540?
Yes. Xeon E5-4620 v3 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% 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 E5-4620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 14.9% 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 E5-4620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-4620 v3 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E7540 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E5-4620 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,980 MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E7540 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon E5-4620 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010), 38.9% larger total L3 cache (25 MB vs 18 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 10 cores / 20 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E5-4620 v3 vs Xeon E7540 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E5-4620 v3

The Xeon E5-4620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,525 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E7540

The Xeon E7540 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 18 MB L3 Cache. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1567. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 10,376 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-4620 v3 packs 10 cores / 20 threads, while the Xeon E7540 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-4620 v3 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4620 v3 versus 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4620 v3 (base: 2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5-4620 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4620 v3 scores 10,525 against the Xeon E7540's 10,376 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon E5-4620 v3. L3 cache: 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4620 v3 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540.

FeatureXeon E5-4620 v3Xeon E7540
Cores / Threads
10 / 20+67%
6 / 12
Boost Clock
2.6 GHz+15%
2.27 GHz
Base Clock
2 GHz
2 GHz
L3 Cache
25 MB (total)+39%
18 MB L3 Cache
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm-51%
45 nm
Architecture
Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark
10,525+1%
10,376
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4620 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E7540 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureXeon E5-4620 v3Xeon E7540
Socket
LGA2011
LGA1567
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
2 TB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
32
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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5-4620 v3) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E7540). Primary use case: Xeon E7540 targets Server.

FeatureXeon E5-4620 v3Xeon E7540
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Server