Intel Xeon E5-2643 v3 vs Intel Xeon E5-4620 v3 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture for these two Haswell-EP Xeon processors. Across all six Cinebench tests recorded in the database, the Intel Xeon E5-4620 v3 takes the win, with margins that barely fluctuate. The largest single advantage appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the E5-4620 v3 scores 127 against the E5-2643 v3's 123, a 3.3% lead. Every other test lands within a narrow band: the R15 multi-core result shows the E5-4620 v3 at 901 versus 875, a 3% edge, while R20 multi-core sees 3757 against 3646, also a 3% difference. The R20 single-core test repeats the pattern with 530 versus 514, a 3.1% margin, and R23 multi-core closes the gap slightly at 3% with scores of 8946 and 8682. R23 single-core rounds out the sweep at 3.1%, 1263 versus 1225.

What makes this sweep notable is that the E5-2643 v3 holds substantial raw clock advantages. Its base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.70 GHz tower over the E5-4620 v3's 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. Yet the E5-4620 v3's additional four cores and eight threads more than compensate in every recorded workload. The delta between the two processors never exceeds 3.3% in any test, which suggests that the E5-4620 v3's 10 cores and 20 threads provide just enough throughput to overcome the frequency deficit.

The average benchmark scores in the database confirm the hierarchy. The E5-4620 v3 posts an average benchmark score of 2587, while the E5-2643 v3 sits at 2511. Both processors land in the 49th percentile against all CPUs tracked by the database, meaning these two parts occupy nearly identical positions in the broader performance distribution. The nearest rivals for the E5-4620 v3 include the Intel Xeon E-2174G at 2588 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE at 2596 (-0.3%), the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS at 2573 (0.5%), and the Intel Core i7-8850H at 2604 (-0.7%). For the E5-2643 v3, the closest comparators are the Intel Xeon E-2144G at 2514 (-0.1%), the Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 at 2507 (0.2%), the Intel Core i5-1155G7 at 2496 (0.6%), and the Intel Xeon E-2244G at 2527 (-0.6%). Both chips effectively sit in a tight cluster with mainstream desktop and older server parts.

Where Each One Wins

The E5-4620 v3 wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison, which makes the use-case split straightforward. Its 10 cores and 20 threads give it a structural advantage in heavily threaded rendering workloads. Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, and R23 multi-core all favor the E5-4620 v3 by a consistent 3%, and those margins hold even though the E5-2643 v3 operates at much higher clock speeds. For database users running multi-threaded server or workstation tasks, the E5-4620 v3 is the safer choice.

The E5-2643 v3, despite losing all six tests, has a profile that suits single-thread-sensitive workloads. Its boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 2.60 GHz means that in scenarios not captured by these particular Cinebench runs, such as lightly threaded database queries or latency-sensitive applications, the higher frequency could narrow or reverse the gap. The recorded single-core deltas are small, between 3.1% and 3.3%, so the E5-2643 v3 is not far behind in that domain. However, the benchmark data as recorded does not show a single test where the E5-2643 v3 comes out ahead.

The E5-2643 v3 also offers a higher memory bandwidth figure of 68.3 GB/s, compared to 59.7 GB/s for the E5-4620 v3. That 14% advantage in theoretical bandwidth could benefit memory-bound workloads, though no benchmark in the database isolates that variable. Both chips support DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration, so the difference comes down to how each processor's memory controller and cache hierarchy interact with the recorded tests.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to the Haswell generation, specifically the Haswell-EP codename, and share the same 22 nm process node manufactured by Intel. The transistor count is identical at 2,600 million, and the die size matches at 356 mm². Both use the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and carry the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. Neither part includes integrated graphics, and both are unlocked? No, both have locked multipliers.

The core architecture is where the two diverge. The E5-4620 v3 packs 10 cores and 20 threads, while the E5-2643 v3 offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The cache hierarchy scales accordingly. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core for both, and the L2 cache is 256 KB per core for both, but the shared L3 cache differs: 25 MB on the E5-4620 v3 versus 20 MB on the E5-2643 v3. That extra 5 MB of L3 cache on the E5-4620 v3 likely contributes to its consistent, if modest, benchmark wins.

The memory controllers also differ in peak bandwidth. The E5-4620 v3 lists 59.7 GB/s, while the E5-2643 v3 lists 68.3 GB/s. Both support ECC memory and run DDR4 in a quad-channel setup, but the E5-2643 v3's higher bandwidth figure suggests a differently tuned memory subsystem. The TDP values reflect the trade-offs: the E5-4620 v3 draws 105 watts, while the E5-2643 v3 draws 135 watts. The higher TDP on the E5-2643 v3 aligns with its higher clock speeds.

The release timeline puts the E5-2643 v3 first, appearing in September 2014, while the E5-4620 v3 launched in May 2015. Both are now end-of-life products. The part numbers distinguish them: SR22K for the E5-4620 v3 and SR204SR1XQ for the E5-2643 v3.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. Core count: the E5-4620 v3 has 10 cores, the E5-2643 v3 has 6. Thread count: 20 versus 12. Base clock: 2.00 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. Boost clock: 2.60 GHz versus 3.70 GHz. TDP: 105 watts versus 135 watts. L3 cache: 25 MB shared versus 20 MB shared. Memory bandwidth: 59.7 GB/s versus 68.3 GB/s. Release date: May 2015 versus September 2014. Launch MSRP: the E5-4620 v3 launched at $1668, the E5-2643 v3 at $1552.

Identical specifications include the Haswell-EP architecture, 22 nm process node, 2,600 million transistors, 356 mm² die size, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR4 memory support, quad-channel memory bus, ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes, Intel Socket 2011-3, no integrated graphics, locked multiplier, and end-of-life production status.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Xeon E5-4620 v3 wins all three multi-core tests. It scores 901 versus 875 in Cinebench R15, 3757 versus 3646 in R20, and 8946 versus 8682 in R23. Each margin is exactly 3%.

Q: Does the higher clock speed of the E5-2643 v3 help it win any single-core tests?

A: No. Despite a 3.40 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock, the E5-2643 v3 loses every single-core test. The E5-4620 v3 leads by 3.3% in R15 single-core (127 versus 123), 3.1% in R20 single-core (530 versus 514), and 3.1% in R23 single-core (1263 versus 1225).

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare between the two?

A: The E5-4620 v3 has an average benchmark score of 2587, while the E5-2643 v3 sits at 2511. Both occupy the 49th percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the closest rivals to each processor?

A: For the E5-4620 v3, the nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2174G at 2588 with a 0% delta, followed by the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE at 2596 (-0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS at 2573 (0.5%). For the E5-2643 v3, the Intel Xeon E-2144G is closest at 2514 (-0.1%), with the Intel Xeon E5-2630 v3 at 2507 (0.2%) not far behind.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The E5-2643 v3 lists 68.3 GB/s, compared to 59.7 GB/s for the E5-4620 v3. Both support DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration with ECC.

Q: Do both processors share the same socket and platform?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 2011-3 and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU. Both are Haswell-EP parts on a 22 nm process with 2,600 million transistors and a 356 mm² die size.