Xeon E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon w5-3425

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 E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon w5-3425 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 E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon w5-3425: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-8857 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 130W instead of 270W, a 140W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w5-3425 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 9.5 vs 30.4 PassMark/$ ($3,838 MSRP vs $1,189 MSRP).
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Xeon w5-3425 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w5-3425

2023

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +18.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $2,649 less on MSRP ($1,189 MSRP vs $3,838 MSRP).
✅Delivers 221.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 30.4 vs 9.5 PassMark/$ ($1,189 MSRP vs $3,838 MSRP).
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.
✅180% more PCIe lanes (112 vs 40) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (36,178 vs 36,304).
❌107.7% higher power demand at 270W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w5-3425 better than Xeon E7-8857 v2?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Xeon w5-3425 is ahead with a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-8857 v2 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E7-8857 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 12 threads.

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

Xeon w5-3425 is the better buy right now. Xeon w5-3425 comes in $2,649 cheaper on MSRP at $1,189 MSRP versus $3,838 MSRP, and it still gives you a 18.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E7-8857 v2 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 221.7% better value on MSRP (30.4 vs 9.5 PassMark/$), 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 w5-3425 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, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Xeon E7-8857 v2 vs Xeon w5-3425 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E7-8857 v2

The Xeon E7-8857 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 12 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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: 36,304 points. Launch price was $800.

Xeon w5-3425

The Xeon w5-3425 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 15 February 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 30 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. Passmark benchmark score: 36,178 points. Launch price was $1,189.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E7-8857 v2 packs 12 cores / 12 threads, matching the Xeon w5-3425's 12 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E7-8857 v2 versus 4.6 GHz on the Xeon w5-3425 — a 24.4% clock advantage for the Xeon w5-3425 (base: 3 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Xeon w5-3425 is built on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8857 v2 scores 36,304 against the Xeon w5-3425's 36,178 — a 0.3% lead for the Xeon E7-8857 v2. Both processors carry 30 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Xeon E7-8857 v2	Xeon w5-3425
Cores / Threads	12 / 12	12 / 24
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.6 GHz+28%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.2 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	30 MB	30 MB
L2 Cache	—	2 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	Intel 7 nm-68%
Architecture	—	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	36,304	36,178

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-8857 v2 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Xeon w5-3425 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1600 on the Xeon E7-8857 v2 versus DDR5-4800 on the Xeon w5-3425 — the Xeon w5-3425 supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w5-3425 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1536 GB — 166.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Xeon E7-8857 v2) vs 8 (Xeon w5-3425). PCIe lanes: 40 (Xeon E7-8857 v2) vs 112 (Xeon w5-3425) — the Xeon w5-3425 offers 72 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: C602J (Xeon E7-8857 v2) and W790 (Xeon w5-3425).

Feature	Xeon E7-8857 v2	Xeon w5-3425
Socket	LGA2011	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+25%	PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed	1600	DDR5-4800+200%
Max RAM Capacity	1536 GB	4096 GB+167%
RAM Channels	4	8+100%
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	40	112+180%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon w5-3425 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Direct competitor: Xeon E7-8857 v2 rivals Xeon E7-4850 v2.

Feature	Xeon E7-8857 v2	Xeon w5-3425
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Xeon E7-8857 v2 was priced at $3838, while the Xeon w5-3425 came in at $1189. On launch pricing ($3838 vs $1189), Xeon w5-3425 was $2649 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Xeon E7-8857 v2 delivers 9.5 pts/$ vs 30.4 pts/$ for the Xeon w5-3425 — making the Xeon w5-3425 the 105.1% better value option.

Feature	Xeon E7-8857 v2	Xeon w5-3425
MSRP	$3838	$1189-69%
Performance per Dollar	9.5	30.4+220%
Release Date	2014	2023

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