Performance comparison: which is faster?
Xeon E5-2690 v4 (Intel, 2016) and Xeon E3-1280 v6 (Intel, 2017) are compared here. Compare not only scores, but also whether the motherboard can be reused and which GPU class is balanced with each CPU.
Overall performance: Xeon E5-2690 v4 is about 57.1% faster
The sockets differ (LGA2011-3 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement. For games, performance balance with the GPU (guideline CPU:GPU = 0.9:1) matters more than CPU speed alone.
Relative performance score (higher is faster). Actual speed varies by workload, cooling, and memory configuration.
| Item | Xeon E5-2690 v4 | Xeon E3-1280 v6 |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Score | 22,000 | 14,000 |
| Generation | Xeon | Xeon |
| Socket | LGA2011-3 | LGA1151 |
| Release Year | 2016 | 2017 |
| Type | Server | Server |
| Compatible GPU Example | GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | Radeon RX 6650 XT |
| If You Want To... | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Prioritize maximum speed for heavy work or a high-end GPU | Xeon E5-2690 v4 |
| Upgrade while reusing the current motherboard | Choose the CPU matching your motherboard socket |
| Prioritize value and adequate performance | Xeon E3-1280 v6 (the lower model is often sufficient) |
Xeon E5-2690 v4 is about 57.1% higher by score (Xeon E5-2690 v4: 22000 points / Xeon E3-1280 v6: 14000 points). For gaming, the GPU tier usually matters more than a few percent of CPU difference. For CPU-heavy work such as video editing and streaming, choose the faster CPU.
Both are Xeon-generation CPUs.The sockets differ (LGA2011-3 / LGA1151), so switching requires a motherboard replacement.
Using our CPU:GPU = 0.9:1 guideline, GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU pairs well with Xeon E5-2690 v4 and Radeon RX 6650 XT pairs well with Xeon E3-1280 v6. If either GPU is too strong or too weak, one part holds the other back.
