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Overview

The Xeon E5-2640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-2640

#533

EPYC 9754

MSRP: $11900|Avg: $10631

130%

#534

Xeon W-3275M

MSRP: $4449|Avg: $4449

128%

#535

Xeon E3-1271 v3

MSRP: $727|Avg: $831

127%

#536

Xeon E5-2650L v3

MSRP: $1329|Avg: N/A

125%

#537

Xeon W-3265

MSRP: $3684|Avg: $3400

124%

#538

Opteron 6282 SE

MSRP: $1019|Avg: $770

116%

#539

EPYC 9684X

MSRP: $14756|Avg: $14756

116%

#540

Xeon E3110

MSRP: $214|Avg: $158

115%

#541

Xeon E5-4640 v4

MSRP: $2837|Avg: N/A

112%

#542

Opteron 6376

MSRP: $703|Avg: N/A

111%

#543

Xeon E7-8867 v3

MSRP: $4672|Avg: $4672

111%

#544

Xeon E5649

MSRP: $774|Avg: N/A

103%

#545

Xeon Platinum 8592+

MSRP: $11600|Avg: $11600

102%

#546

Xeon Platinum 8562Y+

MSRP: $5945|Avg: $7000

101%

#547

Opteron 4386

MSRP: $459|Avg: $459

100%

#548

Xeon E5-2640

MSRP: $885|Avg: N/A

100%

#549

Xeon E5-2650L v2

MSRP: $4115|Avg: $1078

99%

#550

Xeon Platinum 8260L

MSRP: $7500|Avg: $750

96%

#551

Xeon Max 9480

MSRP: $12980|Avg: $12980

90%

#552

Xeon E5-2685 v3

MSRP: $2090|Avg: N/A

87%

#553

Xeon E5-2630 v2

MSRP: $1069|Avg: $1224

86%

#554

Xeon Platinum 8368Q

MSRP: $7719|Avg: $7719

85%

#555

Xeon Platinum 8280M

MSRP: $10009|Avg: $6223

85%

#556

Xeon L5430

MSRP: $390|Avg: $380

84%

#557

Xeon W-3245M

MSRP: $5002|Avg: $5002

80%

#558

Xeon X7550

MSRP: $1500|Avg: $1400

79%

#559

Xeon Platinum 8268

MSRP: $6302|Avg: N/A

78%

#560

Xeon L5640

MSRP: $996|Avg: N/A

66%

#561

Xeon Platinum 8270

MSRP: $7405|Avg: N/A

64%

#562

Xeon Platinum 8260M

MSRP: $7705|Avg: N/A

62%

#563

Xeon E5-4640

MSRP: $2725|Avg: N/A

36%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

FPS Benchmarks

Predicted performance for Xeon E5-2640 across popular games. Tested paired with RTX 4090 to isolate CPU performance.

Technical Analysis

Detailed breakdown of Xeon E5-2640 specifications and capabilities.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E5-2640 is a 6-core / 12-thread processor based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture, manufactured on a 32 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3 GHz from a base frequency of 2.5 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. With a massive 15360 kB (total) L3 cache (3D V-Cache technology), this processor has a significant gaming advantage — the large cache drastically reduces memory latency in game engines., plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 6,305, placing it in the Entry Level performance tier as a Legacy generation product.

Specification	Xeon E5-2640
Cores / ThreadsPhysical/logical processing units	6C / 12T
Max Boost ClockPeak single-core speed under boost	3 GHz
Base ClockGuaranteed minimum operating frequency	2.5 GHz
ArchitectureCPU microarchitecture design	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
Process NodeFabrication technology — smaller = more efficient	32 nm
L3 CacheShared cache — reduces memory latency for all cores	15360 kB (total)
L2 CachePer-core fast cache for frequently accessed data	256 kB (per core)
L1 CacheUltra-fast per-core cache	64 kB (per core)
Die SizePhysical silicon area of the processor	435 mm2
Transistor CountMore transistors = more capabilities	2,270 million
Bus SpeedData bus frequency	7.2 GT/s
Max TemperatureMaximum safe operating temperature (Tjmax)	73 °C
64-bit Support	Yes
Windows 11 Compatible	No
PassMark ScoreOverall multi-threaded benchmark score	6,305

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E5-2640 fits into the LGA2011 socket and supports PCIe 5.0 with 40 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR3 memory at speeds up to DDR3-1333 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 384 GB across 4 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth). It supports ECC memory, providing error-correcting capabilities — essential for mission-critical workloads and servers.

Specification	Xeon E5-2640
TypeDesktop or Laptop processor	server
SocketMotherboard socket required	LGA2011
PCIe GenerationPeripheral interconnect speed — affects GPU and SSD bandwidth	PCIe 5.0
PCIe LanesTotal available lanes for GPUs, NVMe drives, and expansion	40
RAM TypeSupported memory standard	DDR3
Max RAM SpeedMaximum officially supported memory frequency	DDR3-1333
Max RAM CapacityMaximum installable memory	384 GB
RAM ChannelsDual-channel doubles bandwidth vs single-channel	4
ECC SupportError-Correcting Code memory — prevents data corruption	Yes
Integrated GPUBuilt-in graphics processor	No
Max CPUs in ConfigMulti-socket support for servers	2

🔧

Advanced Features

The Xeon E5-2640 is primarily designed for Server. Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads).

Specification	Xeon E5-2640
Primary Use CaseIntended workload category	Server
OverclockingWhether CPU clock can be manually increased	🔒 Locked
AVX-512Advanced vector instructions for AI/ML workloads	❌ Not Supported
VirtualizationHardware-assisted virtualization technology	VT-x, VT-d

🌡️

Power & Cooling

The Xeon E5-2640 has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 95 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed.

Specification	Xeon E5-2640
TDPThermal Design Power — heat output under sustained workload	95 Watt
Max TemperatureMaximum safe junction temperature (Tjmax)	73 °C

💰

Value Analysis

At an average price of $885, the Xeon E5-2640 delivers 7 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #1680 out of all indexed processors.

Specification	Xeon E5-2640
MSRPManufacturer's Suggested Retail Price	$885
Launch PriceOriginal retail price at launch	$162
Performance RankPosition in overall performance ranking	#1680
Release DateLaunch date	6 March 2012 (13 years ago)
Release Year	2012
DesignerArchitecture designer (e.g. Intel, AMD)	Intel
ManufacturerFabrication foundry (e.g. TSMC)	Intel

Specifications Reference

Raw spec sheet for quick lookup. The analysis cards above explain what these fields mean in practice.

4 categories

General Information

7 specs

Type	server
Designer	Intel
Launch Price	$162
Manufacturer	Intel
Release Date	6 March 2012 (13 years ago)
Architecture Codename	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
Performance Ranking Position	1680

Technical Specifications

14 specs

Cores	6
Threads	12
Die Size	435 mm2
L1 Cache	64 kB (per core)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)
L3 Cache	15360 kB (total)
Bus Speed	7.2 GT/s
Max Frequency	3 GHz
64-Bit Support	+
Base Frequency	2.5 GHz
Transistor Count	2,270 million
Process Technology	32 nm
Max Core Temperature	73 °C
Windows 11 Compatible	-