Xeon E5-4640 v4 vs Xeon W-1290P

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 v4 vs Xeon W-1290P 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 v4 vs Xeon W-1290P: 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 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).
✅Draws 105W instead of 125W, a 20W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon W-1290P across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $2,837 MSRP, while Xeon W-1290P mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Xeon W-1290P

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +23.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (22,373 vs 22,559).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (20 MB vs 30 MB).
❌19% higher power demand at 125W vs 105W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-4640 v4 better than Xeon W-1290P?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon W-1290P is ahead with a 23.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 v4 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Xeon E5-4640 v4 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4640 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 20 MB).

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

Xeon E5-4640 v4 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-4640 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $2,837 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon W-1290P is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 23.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (8.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 W-1290P makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2016). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Xeon E5-4640 v4 vs Xeon W-1290P Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E5-4640 v4

The Xeon E5-4640 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 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 22,559 points. Launch price was $2,837.

Xeon W-1290P

The Xeon W-1290P is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Comet Lake (2020−2025) architecture. It features 10 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 5.2 GHz. L3 cache: 20 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 22,373 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E5-4640 v4 packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon W-1290P offers 10 cores / 20 threads — the Xeon E5-4640 v4 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-4640 v4 versus 5.2 GHz on the Xeon W-1290P — a 66.7% clock advantage for the Xeon W-1290P (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Xeon E5-4640 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon W-1290P uses Comet Lake (2020−2025) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E5-4640 v4 scores 22,559 against the Xeon W-1290P's 22,373 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon E5-4640 v4. L3 cache: 30 MB on the Xeon E5-4640 v4 vs 20 MB (total) on the Xeon W-1290P.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v4	Xeon W-1290P
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+20%	10 / 20
Boost Clock	2.6 GHz	5.2 GHz+100%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.7 GHz+76%
L3 Cache	30 MB+50%	20 MB (total)
L2 Cache	3 MB	256K (per core)+8433%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Comet Lake (2020−2025)
PassMark	22,559	22,373

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-4640 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon W-1290P uses LGA1200 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E5-4640 v4	Xeon W-1290P
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1200
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4 2133 MHz	—
Max RAM Capacity	1.5 TB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—