Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 vs Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a surprisingly consistent picture: the Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3, despite having fewer cores and a lower launch MSRP. Across six Cinebench tests, the E5-2628L v3 secures a clean sweep, with wins ranging from a narrow 1.5% margin to a more substantial 2.3% gap.

The largest advantage appears in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the E5-2628L v3 scores 949 against the E5-4650 v3's 928, a 2.3% delta. This is notable because the E5-4650 v3 carries 12 cores and 24 threads, while the E5-2628L v3 operates with 10 cores and 20 threads. The multicore result suggests that clock behavior and per-core efficiency matter more than raw core count in this specific pairing.

Single-core results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the E5-2628L v3 posts 133 versus 131 for the E5-4650 v3, a 1.5% lead. The margin widens slightly in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the E5-2628L v3 scores 558 against 546, a 2.2% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the same 2.2% delta, with scores of 1329 and 1300 respectively.

The multicore results in newer Cinebench versions are nearly identical in percentage terms. Cinebench R20 multicore gives the E5-2628L v3 a 3955 score versus 3869, a 2.2% advantage. Cinebench R23 multicore shows 9417 against 9212, again a 2.2% delta. The consistency of these margins across different benchmark generations suggests a stable performance relationship between the two processors, not a workload-specific anomaly.

The average benchmark score reinforces this hierarchy. The E5-2628L v3 averages 2724 across all recorded tests, while the E5-4650 v3 averages 2664. That is a difference of 60 points, or roughly 2.3% in favor of the lower-core-count part. Both processors sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance relative to the broader market.

Looking at nearest rivals provides additional context. The E5-2628L v3's average score of 2724 places it just 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U, which scores 2722. It also edges out the Intel Core i7-11390H and Intel Xeon D-1577, both at 2715, by 0.3%. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 5650U trails at 2713, a 0.4% gap. The E5-4650 v3, with its 2664 average, sits 0.1% above the Intel Core i7-9750HF at 2662, but 0.1% behind the Intel Core i7-9700T at 2668, and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-9500F at 2670. The Intel Core i7-1365UE leads this rival group at 2677, putting it 0.5% ahead of the E5-4650 v3.

These rival comparisons show that both Xeon parts are clustered tightly with mainstream mobile and desktop processors from later generations. The performance gap between the two Xeons, while consistent, is modest in absolute terms. A 2.3% difference will rarely be perceptible in real-world server workloads, but it does establish a clear ordering in the database's measurements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 wins all 6 head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3. The E5-4650 v3 records 0 wins.

Q: What is the largest performance margin between the two processors?

A: The largest margin is 2.3%, recorded in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the E5-2628L v3 scores 949 versus 928 for the E5-4650 v3.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The E5-2628L v3 has an average benchmark score of 2724, while the E5-4650 v3 averages 2664. Both processors sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Does the processor with more cores score higher in multicore tests?

A: No. The E5-4650 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads, but the 10-core, 20-thread E5-2628L v3 scores higher in every multicore test, including Cinebench R20 multicore (3955 versus 3869) and Cinebench R23 multicore (9417 versus 9212).

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

A: The E5-2628L v3 sits 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-11390H and Intel Xeon D-1577. The E5-4650 v3 sits 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-9750HF but 0.1% behind the Intel Core i7-9700T and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-9500F.

Q: What is the release timeline for each processor?

A: The E5-2628L v3 was released on 2014-09-07, while the E5-4650 v3 followed on 2015-05-31. Both are now end-of-life products.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture foundation. They are built on the Haswell microarchitecture, specifically the Haswell-EP variant, and both use Intel's 22 nm process node. The foundry is Intel for both, and each chip packs 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. This means the underlying silicon technology is identical; the differences come from configuration and binning rather than architectural revision.

The core configurations differ. The E5-2628L v3 contains 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E5-4650 v3 contains 12 cores and 24 threads. Clock speeds also differ: the E5-2628L v3 has a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.50 GHz, whereas the E5-4650 v3 runs at a base of 2.10 GHz and boosts to 2.80 GHz. The E5-4650 v3 thus holds the clock advantage, yet the benchmark results show the E5-2628L v3 performing better in all recorded tests.

Cache hierarchies differ in the L3 segment. Both processors share the same per-core L1 cache at 64 KB and per-core L2 cache at 256 KB. However, the E5-2628L v3 has 25 MB of shared L3 cache, while the E5-4650 v3 has 30 MB. The larger L3 on the E5-4650 v3 aligns with its higher core count, but it does not translate into a benchmark win.

Memory support is similar in structure but differs in bandwidth. Both support DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, and both support ECC memory. The E5-2628L v3 delivers 59.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the E5-4650 v3 delivers 68.3 GB/s. The higher bandwidth figure belongs to the E5-4650 v3, yet again the performance measurements favor the E5-2628L v3.

PCIe connectivity is identical: both offer Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. Neither processor includes integrated graphics. Both use the Intel Socket 2011-3, making them socket-compatible at the platform level. Both are server and workstation parts, and both are locked, meaning the multiplier is not unlocked for overclocking.

Power characteristics differ substantially. The E5-2628L v3 has a TDP of 75 watts, while the E5-4650 v3 has a TDP of 105 watts. The E5-2628L v3 is the lower-power part by a significant margin, which makes its benchmark victory more notable from an efficiency standpoint. The launch MSRP for the E5-2628L v3 is $1364, while the E5-4650 v3 launched at $2838. The part numbers differ as well: SR1XZ for the E5-2628L v3 and SR22J for the E5-4650 v3.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The Intel Xeon E5-2628L v3 outperforms the Intel Xeon E5-4650 v3 in every benchmark recorded in the database, across all three Cinebench versions and both single-core and multicore workloads. The margins are consistent, ranging from 1.5% to 2.3%, with the most common delta being 2.2%.

The E5-2628L v3 achieves this with fewer cores, fewer threads, lower clock speeds, less L3 cache, and lower memory bandwidth. It also does so at a substantially lower launch MSRP of $1364 compared to $2838 for the E5-4650 v3. The TDP difference is equally stark: 75 watts versus 105 watts. From every measurable angle in the database, the E5-2628L v3 is the superior choice.

The E5-4650 v3 is not without its own merits in isolation. Its average benchmark score of 2664 places it in the same 50th percentile as the E5-2628L v3, and it holds its own against nearest rivals like the Intel Core i7-9700T, which it trails by only 0.1%. But in a direct comparison, the E5-4650 v3 cannot overcome the performance lead of the E5-2628L v3.

Buyers choosing between these two processors should select the E5-2628L v3 based on the recorded data. It wins every head-to-head test, consumes less power, and carries a lower launch price. The E5-4650 v3 offers more cores and more cache on paper, but the measurements show that these advantages do not materialize into better benchmark results. For workloads represented by Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the E5-2628L v3 is the better performer in every category.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields, while sharing others. The core count differs: the E5-2628L v3 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E5-4650 v3 has 12 cores and 24 threads. Base clocks differ slightly, with the E5-2628L v3 at 2000.00 MHz and the E5-4650 v3 at 2.10 GHz. Boost clocks also differ: 2.50 GHz for the E5-2628L v3 versus 2.80 GHz for the E5-4650 v3.

TDP is a major differentiator. The E5-2628L v3 draws 75 watts, while the E5-4650 v3 draws 105 watts. L3 cache differs as well: 25 MB shared on the E5-2628L v3 versus 30 MB shared on the E5-4650 v3. Memory bandwidth shows a gap, with 59.7 GB/s for the E5-2628L v3 and 68.3 GB/s for the E5-4650 v3.

Release dates differ. The E5-2628L v3 launched on 2014-09-07, while the E5-4650 v3 launched on 2015-05-31. Launch MSRP also differs: $1364 for the E5-2628L v3 and $2838 for the E5-4650 v3. Part numbers are unique to each: SR1XZ for the E5-2628L v3 and SR22J for the E5-4650 v3.

Shared specifications include the Haswell-EP architecture, 22 nm process node, Intel as foundry, 2,600 million transistors, 356 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 cache per core, 256 KB L2 cache per core, DDR4 memory support, quad-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, Gen 3 PCIe with 40 lanes, no integrated graphics, Intel Socket 2011-3, locked multipliers, and end-of-life production status. Both processors also share the same market segment of server and workstation use.