Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Platinum 8260

Intel

Xeon E7-4890 v2

15 Cores30 Thrd155 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon Platinum 8260

24 Cores48 Thrd165 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2019
Similar parts
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Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Platinum 8260 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 E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Platinum 8260 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 E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Platinum 8260: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-4890 v2

2014

Why buy it

  • Draws 155W instead of 165W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (730 vs 1,190).
  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (6,500 vs 18,500).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8260

2019

Why buy it

  • +63% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • 50% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 32) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Launch MSRP is still $400 MSRP, while Xeon E7-4890 v2 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8260 better than Xeon E7-4890 v2?
Yes. Xeon Platinum 8260 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 184.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 Platinum 8260 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.2% 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 Platinum 8260 is the stronger fit. You are getting 184.6% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Platinum 8260 is the better buy right now. Xeon Platinum 8260 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $400 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (76.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Platinum 8260 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014), more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 15/30, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs Xeon Platinum 8260 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Xeon E7-4890 v2

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 15 cores and 30 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 37.5 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 155 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 30,946 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon Platinum 8260

The Xeon Platinum 8260 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2018 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 30,720 points. Launch price was $4,702.

Processing Power

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 packs 15 cores / 30 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8260 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8260 has 9 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus 3.9 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8260 — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Xeon Platinum 8260 is built on the Cascade Lake-SP (2018) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-4890 v2 scores 30,946 against the Xeon Platinum 8260's 30,720 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E7-4890 v2. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 6,500 vs 18,500 (96% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 730 vs 1,190, a 47.9% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8260 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 5,500 vs 6,946 (23.2% advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8260). L3 cache: 37.5 MB on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 vs 35.75 MB (total) on the Xeon Platinum 8260.

FeatureXeon E7-4890 v2Xeon Platinum 8260
Cores / Threads
15 / 30
24 / 48+60%
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
3.9 GHz+15%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+17%
2.4 GHz
L3 Cache
37.5 MB+5%
35.75 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Cascade Lake-SP (2018)
PassMark
30,946
30,720
Cinebench R23 Multi
6,500
18,500+185%
Geekbench 6 Single
730
1,190+63%
Geekbench 6 Multi
5,500
6,946+26%
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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-4890 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8260 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Xeon E7-4890 v2 versus DDR4-2933 on the Xeon Platinum 8260 — the Xeon Platinum 8260 supports 83.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E7-4890 v2 supports up to 1536 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 6 (Xeon Platinum 8260). PCIe lanes: 32 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8260) — the Xeon Platinum 8260 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602 (Xeon E7-4890 v2) and C621,Lewisburg (Xeon Platinum 8260).

FeatureXeon E7-4890 v2Xeon Platinum 8260
Socket
LGA2011
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR4-2933+83%
Max RAM Capacity
1536 GB+50%
1024 GB
RAM Channels
4
6+50%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
32
48+50%
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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon Platinum 8260 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Primary use case: Xeon E7-4890 v2 targets Enterprise Server (Legacy), Xeon Platinum 8260 targets Server / Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-4890 v2 rivals Xeon E5-2697 v2; Xeon Platinum 8260 rivals Xeon Gold 6248R.

FeatureXeon E7-4890 v2Xeon Platinum 8260
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Enterprise Server (Legacy)
Server / Workstation