Xeon E5-4640 v3 vs Xeon E7540

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 E5-4640 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 E5-4640 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 E5-4640 v3

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.3% higher average FPS across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).
✅25% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 32) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,372 vs 10,376).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 3.6 vs 5.2 PassMark/$ ($2,859 MSRP vs $1,980 MSRP).

Xeon E7540

2010

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $879 less on MSRP ($1,980 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).
✅Delivers 44.4% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 5.2 vs 3.6 PassMark/$ ($1,980 MSRP vs $2,859 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-4640 v3 across 43 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (18 MB vs 30 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7540 better than Xeon E5-4640 v3?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon E5-4640 v3 is ahead with a 15.3% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7540 pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4640 v3 also has the bigger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7540 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon E7540 is the better buy right now. Xeon E7540 comes in $879 cheaper on MSRP at $1,980 MSRP versus $2,859 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4640 v3 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 15.3% average FPS lead across 43 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 44.4% better value on MSRP (5.2 vs 3.6 PassMark/$), 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 E5-4640 v3 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and 66.7% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 18 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-4640 v3 vs Xeon E7540 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-4640 v3

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 10,372 points. Launch price was $800.

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.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E7540 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 versus 2.27 GHz on the Xeon E7540 — a 13.6% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4640 v3 (base: 1.9 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Xeon E5-4640 v3 is built on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4640 v3 scores 10,372 against the Xeon E7540's 10,376 — a 0% lead for the Xeon E7540. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 vs 18 MB L3 Cache on the Xeon E7540.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v3	Xeon E7540
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz+15%	2.27 GHz
Base Clock	1.9 GHz	2 GHz+5%
L3 Cache	30 MB (total)+67%	18 MB L3 Cache
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	—
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)	—
PassMark	10,372	10,376
Geekbench 6 Single	750	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	7,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4640 v3 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon E7540 uses LGA1567 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-1866 on the Xeon E5-4640 v3 versus DDR3-1066 on the Xeon E7540 — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 supports 75% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7540 supports up to 2 TB of RAM compared to 768 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 4-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E5-4640 v3) vs 32 (Xeon E7540) — the Xeon E5-4640 v3 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v3	Xeon E7540
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1567
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+150%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-1866+75%	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	768 GB	2 TB+167%
RAM Channels	4	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40+25%	32

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Xeon E5-4640 v3) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E7540). Primary use case: Xeon E7540 targets Server.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v3	Xeon E7540
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E5-4640 v3 was priced at $2859, while the Xeon E7540 came in at $1980. On launch pricing ($2859 vs $1980), Xeon E7540 was $879 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E5-4640 v3 delivers 3.6 pts/$ vs 5.2 pts/$ for the Xeon E7540 — making the Xeon E7540 the 36.4% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v3	Xeon E7540
MSRP	$2859	$1980-31%
Performance per Dollar	3.6	5.2+44%
Release Date	2015	2010

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