Xeon E7-8890 v4 vs Xeon E5420

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 E7-8890 v4 vs Xeon E5420 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 E7-8890 v4 vs Xeon E5420: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Xeon E7-8890 v4

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 12 MB).

Trade-offs

❌106.3% higher power demand at 165W vs 80W.

Xeon E5420

2007

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 165W, a 85W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (32 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E7-8890 v4 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,044 vs 2,054).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 60 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $7,214 MSRP, while Xeon E7-8890 v4 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E7-8890 v4 better than Xeon E5420?

Yes. Xeon E7-8890 v4 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.5% better PassMark, 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 E7-8890 v4 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.4% 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 E7-8890 v4 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Xeon E7-8890 v4 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5420 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon E7-8890 v4 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $7,214 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5420 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (0.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Xeon E7-8890 v4 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2007), 400% larger total L3 cache (60 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Xeon E7-8890 v4 vs Xeon E5420 Technical Specifications

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

Xeon E7-8890 v4

The Xeon E7-8890 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 60 MB. L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,054 points. Launch price was $7,174.

Xeon E5420

The Xeon E5420 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 November 2007 (18 years ago). It is based on the Harpertown (2007−2008) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA771. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3 Depends on motherboard. Passmark benchmark score: 2,044 points. Launch price was $316.

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Processing Power

The Xeon E7-8890 v4 packs 24 cores / 48 threads, while the Xeon E5420 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Xeon E7-8890 v4 has 20 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Xeon E7-8890 v4 versus 2.5 GHz on the Xeon E5420 — a 30.5% clock advantage for the Xeon E7-8890 v4 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Xeon E7-8890 v4 uses the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5420 uses Harpertown (2007−2008) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E7-8890 v4 scores 2,054 against the Xeon E5420's 2,044 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E7-8890 v4. L3 cache: 60 MB on the Xeon E7-8890 v4 vs 12 MB L2 Cache on the Xeon E5420.

Feature	Xeon E7-8890 v4	Xeon E5420
Cores / Threads	24 / 48+500%	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+36%	2.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.5 GHz+14%
L3 Cache	60 MB+400%	12 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
Process	14 nm-69%	45 nm
Architecture	Broadwell (2015−2019)	Harpertown (2007−2008)
PassMark	2,054	2,044
Geekbench 6 Single	—	314
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	881

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Memory & Platform

The Xeon E7-8890 v4 uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5420 uses LGA771 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E7-8890 v4	Xeon E5420
Socket	LGA2011	LGA771
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR2-667
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	32