Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6444Y

Intel

Xeon E7-4880 v2

15 Cores30 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 6444Y

16 Cores32 Thrd270 WWMax: 4 GHz2023
Similar parts
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Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6444Y 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 E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6444Y 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 E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6444Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-4880 v2

2014

Why buy it

  • +2.7% higher PassMark.
  • Draws 130W instead of 270W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 6444Y across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Smaller total L3 cache (38 MB vs 45 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.3 vs 13.0 PassMark/$ ($6,619 MSRP vs $3,622 MSRP).
  • Older platform position on LGA2011, while Xeon Gold 6444Y moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon Gold 6444Y

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +22.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +20% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 38 MB).
  • Costs $2,997 less on MSRP ($3,622 MSRP vs $6,619 MSRP).
  • Delivers 78.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 13.0 vs 7.3 PassMark/$ ($3,622 MSRP vs $6,619 MSRP).
  • Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (47,176 vs 48,435).
  • 107.7% higher power demand at 270W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 6444Y better than Xeon E7-4880 v2?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon Gold 6444Y is ahead with a 22.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4880 v2 pulls ahead with 2.7% better PassMark. Xeon Gold 6444Y also has the bigger cache pool with 20% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 38 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-4880 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.7% better PassMark, backed by 15 cores and 30 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 6444Y is the better buy right now. Xeon Gold 6444Y comes in $2,997 cheaper on MSRP at $3,622 MSRP versus $6,619 MSRP, and it still gives you a 22.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E7-4880 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.7% better PassMark. It is also 78.0% better value on MSRP (13.0 vs 7.3 PassMark/$), 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 Gold 6444Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2014), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011, 20% larger total L3 cache (45 MB vs 38 MB), and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs Xeon Gold 6444Y Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-4880 v2

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 48,435 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon Gold 6444Y

The Xeon Gold 6444Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 45 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 270 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4800, DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 47,176 points. Launch price was $1,517.

Processing Power

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 packs 15 cores / 30 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6444Y offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Xeon Gold 6444Y has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6444Y — a 25.4% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6444Y (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Xeon Gold 6444Y is built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-4880 v2 scores 48,435 against the Xeon Gold 6444Y's 47,176 — a 2.6% lead for the Xeon E7-4880 v2. L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 vs 45 MB on the Xeon Gold 6444Y.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6444Y
Cores / Threads
15 / 30
16 / 32+7%
Boost Clock
3.1 GHz
4 GHz+29%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
3.6 GHz+44%
L3 Cache
37.5 MB
45 MB+20%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture
Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark
48,435+3%
47,176
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-4880 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Gold 6444Y uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Xeon E7-4880 v2 versus 5600 on the Xeon Gold 6444Y — the Xeon Gold 6444Y supports 250% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6444Y supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 1536 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-4880 v2) vs 8 (Xeon Gold 6444Y). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E7-4880 v2) vs 80 (Xeon Gold 6444Y) — the Xeon Gold 6444Y offers 40 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602-J (Xeon E7-4880 v2) and C741 (Xeon Gold 6444Y).

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6444Y
Socket
LGA2011
LGA4677
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
1600
5600+250%
Max RAM Capacity
1536
4096+167%
RAM Channels
4
8+100%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40
80+100%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Gold 6444Y supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4880 v2 rivals AMD Opteron 6380; Xeon Gold 6444Y rivals EPYC 9384X.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6444Y
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
VT-x, VT-d
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E7-4880 v2 was priced at $6619, while the Xeon Gold 6444Y came in at $3622. On launch pricing ($6619 vs $3622), Xeon Gold 6444Y was $2997 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-4880 v2 delivers 7.3 pts/$ vs 13.0 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 6444Y — making the Xeon Gold 6444Y the 56.1% better value option.

FeatureXeon E7-4880 v2Xeon Gold 6444Y
MSRP
$6619
$3622-45%
Performance per Dollar
7.3
13.0+78%
Release Date
2014
2023

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