Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 vs Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 and the Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 is one-sided. Across all six recorded Cinebench tests, the E5-4627 v3 wins every single contest. The margins are consistent, ranging from 2.3% to 3.0%. This is not a case of one processor dominating in one workload and losing in another; the E5-4627 v3 holds a steady advantage in both single-core and multi-core performance.

The largest relative gap appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the E5-4627 v3 scores 137 against 133 for the E5-2628L v3, a delta of 3.0%. The same test in multi-core shows a smaller but still clear edge: 971 versus 949, a 2.3% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the E5-4627 v3 posts 4049 in multi-core and 571 in single-core, while the E5-2628L v3 records 3955 and 558 respectively, yielding deltas of 2.4% and 2.3%. In Cinebench R23, the newest test in the set, the pattern holds: 9642 versus 9417 in multi-core and 1361 versus 1329 in single-core, again a 2.4% delta in both cases.

What the data shows is a processor that is uniformly faster, but not dramatically so. The E5-4627 v3 never reaches double-digit percentage leads. Its advantage is a narrow but consistent performance edge across every benchmark iteration. For a workload that scales across cores, the multi-core deltas of 2.3% to 2.4% translate into meaningful differences over long render or simulation times. For lightly threaded tasks, the single-core deltas of 2.3% to 3.0% are similarly modest but reliable.

The average benchmark score places the E5-4627 v3 at 2789, against 2724 for the E5-2628L v3. This 65-point gap is reflected in the percentile rankings: the E5-4627 v3 sits at the 51st percentile among all CPUs, while the E5-2628L v3 sits at the 50th. In practical terms, both processors occupy nearly the same performance tier, but the E5-4627 v3 is consistently at the top of that tier.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture. They are built on the Haswell-EP microarchitecture, use the 22 nm process node, and are fabricated by Intel. Each has 10 cores and 20 threads, using Hyper-Threading to reach that thread count. The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and support DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration. ECC memory is supported on both. PCIe capability is also the same, with Gen 3 and 40 lanes available from the CPU.

The differences lie in clock speeds, power envelope, memory bandwidth, and release timing. The E5-4627 v3 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The E5-2628L v3 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.50 GHz. This 0.60 GHz gap at base and 0.70 GHz at boost explains the consistent benchmark lead for the E5-4627 v3. Higher clocks directly translate into higher single-core and multi-core scores when core counts are equal.

The thermal design power tells a complementary story. The E5-4627 v3 has a TDP of 135 watts, while the E5-2628L v3 has a TDP of 75 watts. The "L" in the E5-2628L v3's name denotes a low-power variant, and the 60-watt difference confirms that designation. This lower power draw comes at the cost of clock speed, and the benchmark results show exactly that trade-off.

Memory bandwidth also differs. The E5-4627 v3 supports 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the E5-2628L v3 supports 59.7 GB/s. With identical memory channels and memory types, this difference likely stems from the clock speed differential, as higher memory controller clocks enable higher bandwidth.

Release dates separate the two as well. The E5-2628L v3 launched on September 7, 2014, while the E5-4627 v3 launched on May 31, 2015. Both are now end-of-life products. The part numbers are SR22Q for the E5-4627 v3 and SR1XZ for the E5-2628L v3. Neither has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option for either processor.

Where Each One Wins

The E5-4627 v3 wins every benchmark in the database. There is no recorded test where the E5-2628L v3 comes out ahead. This makes the use-case split straightforward: the E5-4627 v3 is the better choice for any workload where raw performance matters, from single-threaded tasks like legacy application code to fully parallel multi-threaded rendering workloads.

The E5-2628L v3 does have one clear advantage that the benchmark scores do not capture directly: power consumption. With a TDP of 75 watts versus 135 watts, the E5-2628L v3 draws substantially less power. In dense server deployments where thermal limits and power budgets are tight, that 60-watt difference per socket can be significant. A rack full of E5-2628L v3 processors will generate less heat and require less cooling than an equivalent setup with E5-4627 v3 parts.

For workloads that are not performance-bound, such as always-on database servers, web serving, or other latency-tolerant tasks, the E5-2628L v3 makes a plausible case. Its lower power envelope means it can fit into systems with smaller power supplies or less robust cooling. The benchmark scores are close enough that the performance penalty for most workloads will be in the low single digits.

However, for any compute-heavy task, from video encoding to scientific simulation to 3D rendering, the E5-4627 v3 is the clear winner. Its multi-core lead of 2.4% in Cinebench R23, for example, compounds over hours of render time. The single-core lead of 2.4% in the same test matters for interactive workloads or lightly threaded applications that cannot scale across cores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 971 versus 949 in R15, 4049 versus 3955 in R20, and 9642 versus 9417 in R23, a delta of 2.3% to 2.4% in each case.

Q: How much faster is the E5-4627 v3 in single-core tests?

A: The single-core advantage ranges from 2.3% to 3.0%. In Cinebench R15, the E5-4627 v3 scores 137 against 133, a 3.0% lead. In R20 and R23, the deltas are 2.3% and 2.4% respectively.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 10 cores and 20 threads. They also share the same cache hierarchy, with 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 25 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the main difference in power consumption?

A: The E5-4627 v3 has a TDP of 135 watts, while the E5-2628L v3 has a TDP of 75 watts. The E5-2628L v3 is designed as a low-power variant.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The E5-4627 v3 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The E5-2628L v3 has a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 2.50 GHz.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The E5-4627 v3 has an average benchmark score of 2789, placing it near the Intel Core i5-11300H at 2792 and the Intel Core i5-8600K at 2807. The E5-2628L v3 averages 2724, close to the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U at 2722 and the Intel Core i7-11390H at 2715.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Clock speeds are the most prominent: the E5-4627 v3 runs at a base clock of 2.60 GHz and boosts to 3.20 GHz, while the E5-2628L v3 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 2.50 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs by 60 watts, with the E5-4627 v3 rated at 135 watts and the E5-2628L v3 at 75 watts.

Memory bandwidth also separates them. The E5-4627 v3 supports 68.3 GB/s, while the E5-2628L v3 supports 59.7 GB/s. Release dates differ as well: the E5-2628L v3 launched on September 7, 2014, and the E5-4627 v3 launched on May 31, 2015. The launch MSRP for the E5-4627 v3 was $2225, and for the E5-2628L v3 it was $1364.

Part numbers are distinct: SR22Q for the E5-4627 v3 and SR1XZ for the E5-2628L v3. All other specifications are identical: 10 cores, 20 threads, 22 nm process node, 2,600 million transistors, 356 mm² die size, 25 MB shared L3 cache, DDR4 support, quad-channel memory bus, ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes, Intel Socket 2011-3, and Haswell-EP architecture.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice. The Intel Xeon E5-4627 v3 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six Cinebench tests with deltas between 2.3% and 3.0%. Its higher clock speeds, both base and boost, deliver a consistent performance edge across both single-core and multi-core workloads. Its memory bandwidth advantage of 8.6 GB/s further supports compute-heavy tasks.

The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 is not a performance leader, but it is not meant to be. Its name carries the "L" suffix for low power, and its 75 watt TDP is a 60-watt reduction compared to the E5-4627 v3. For deployments where power density and thermal output are primary constraints, this processor offers nearly the same performance at significantly lower energy draw. The average benchmark scores are within 65 points of each other, and the percentile rankings differ by only one point.

For buyers prioritizing raw compute throughput, the E5-4627 v3 is the choice. Its performance lead, while modest in percentage terms, is uniform and reliable. For buyers prioritizing power efficiency in high-density server environments, the E5-2628L v3 is the alternative. Its lower TDP enables denser configurations and reduced cooling requirements, at a performance cost of roughly 2% to 3% across the board. The launch MSRP reflects this positioning: the E5-4627 v3 was introduced at $2225, while the E5-2628L v3 came in at $1364.