Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3

The Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 is a Haswell-EP processor for Intel Socket 2011-3, aimed at the server/workstation segment. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a 3.00 GHz base clock, a 3.50 GHz boost clock, a 105W TDP, and support for quad-channel DDR4 with ECC at 59.7 GB/s. It was released on 2014-09-07 and is end-of-life; launch MSRP $444. Its aggregate benchmark score is 1637, placing it at the 41st percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Benchmark Performance

The E5-2623 v3 produces a clear multi-core versus single-core gap in every Cinebench version. In Cinebench R15, it scores 570 multi-core and 80 single-core. In R20, the scores are 2377 multi-core and 335 single-core. In R23, the scores are 5661 multi-core and 799 single-core. These results show a processor that scales strongly with additional threads: the multi-core result is substantially larger than the single-core result across all three Cinebench generations. The R15 score of 570 indicates modest threaded throughput, while the R23 score of 5661 shows that the CPU can still complete longer threaded workloads, though not at a level that pushes it high in the database.

The aggregate average score of 1637 corresponds to the 41st percentile among all CPUs. This means the majority of CPUs in the database score higher overall. The Cinebench results support that position: the multi-core numbers are useful for a 4-core/8-thread design, but the single-core numbers are low enough to hold the CPU back in mixed workloads. The boost clock of 3.50 GHz helps, but the 3.00 GHz base clock and the older Haswell architecture limit where this chip lands in the current competitive field.

How It Compares

The nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-5700HQ, with an average score of 1636 and a deltaPct of 0. The Xeon matches it exactly in aggregate performance. Any difference between the two is lost in rounding, making them effectively equal in this database.

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G scores 1640, giving the Xeon a deltaPct of -0.2. The Xeon trails by 0.2%, a gap so small that it would be invisible in most workloads. The two parts occupy the same performance class, and this margin should not be treated as a real advantage for either side.

The AMD Opteron 6380 scores 1643, with a deltaPct of -0.4. The Xeon is 0.4% behind the Opteron. Again, this is a minor gap, but it does position the Xeon at the lower end of this rival cluster.

The Intel Core i7-980X scores 1647, with a deltaPct of -0.6. The Xeon is 0.6% behind the i7-980X. This is the largest gap among the nearest rivals, and even it is small enough that the Xeon should be considered a direct competitor to all four parts rather than a clear underdog.

Power and Thermals

The E5-2623 v3 is rated at a 105W TDP. This is a moderate thermal envelope for a server/workstation processor. The chip is built on a 22 nm process, with 2,600 million transistors and a die size of 356 mm². Those numbers indicate a design that is not especially hot per square millimeter by current standards, but it still needs proper cooling.

A 105W TDP class implies that a capable air cooler is sufficient. It does not require exotic cooling hardware. For an LGA2011-3 platform, standard tower-style coolers designed for that socket should handle the heat output. The CPU has no integrated graphics, so the cooling solution does not need to account for an iGPU die on the package. In a server chassis, a heatsink rated for 105W-class processors should be enough; in a workstation, a solid tower cooler will keep it within limits. Because the chip is end-of-life, the LGA2011-3 cooler ecosystem is mature, and used or existing cooling solutions are straightforward to match.

FAQ

Q: What memory configuration does the E5-2623 v3 support?

A: It supports DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: It provides PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes, counting only the CPU itself.

Q: What socket does this processor use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 2011-3.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: No. The multiplierUnlocked field is false, so the CPU does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: What is the cache layout?

A: It has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: When was the CPU released, and is it still in production?

A: It was released on 2014-09-07. Its production status is end-of-life.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E5-2623 v3 is clearly biased toward multi-threaded work. In Cinebench R15, the multi-core score is 570 while the single-core score is 80. In R20, the multi-core score is 2377 and the single-core score is 335. In R23, the multi-core score is 5661 and the single-core score is 799. The pattern is consistent across all three versions: multi-threaded performance is far stronger than single-threaded performance.

This split tells a practical story. Applications that can use all 8 threads will get meaningful throughput, especially given the 10 MB shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory support. On the other hand, software that depends on a single thread will not show the same level of performance. The 3.50 GHz boost clock is useful, but it does not turn this into a high-single-thread part. The aggregate 41st percentile placement reflects this compromise: the CPU is competitive in threaded server/workstation roles, but less impressive when the workload is narrow and latency-sensitive.

The consistency of the multi-thread advantage across R15, R20, and R23 suggests that the core count and thread count are the main drivers of performance. The 4-core/8-thread configuration scales predictably as the Cinebench workload grows. This makes the chip more suitable for workloads that can be parallelized than for interactive or single-thread-heavy tasks.

Who Should Consider It

The E5-2623 v3 makes the most sense for server/workstation builds where ECC memory, quad-channel bandwidth, and 40 PCIe Gen3 lanes are important. The 4-core/8-thread layout is enough for threaded server tasks, and the 59.7 GB/s memory bandwidth supports memory-sensitive workloads. The CPU's market segment is explicitly server/workstation, so it is not positioned as a desktop gaming part.

For gaming, the single-core scores are the limiting factor. The R23 single-core score of 799 and the R15 single-core score of 80 indicate that games relying heavily on single-thread performance will not extract much from this CPU. It is not a natural fit for a gaming-focused build.

For threaded creation workloads, the multi-core scores are more useful. The R23 multi-core score of 5661 shows that multi-threaded rendering or encoding tasks can use the CPU's parallel capacity. Still, the 41st percentile aggregate score means it is not a strong performer by overall database standards, so it should only be considered when the platform and memory features are already needed.

For office-style workloads, the low single-core scores suggest that simple, lightly threaded tasks will not feel especially fast. The CPU's value comes from thread scaling, not from snappy single-thread response. A user with an existing LGA2011-3 board and a need for ECC memory is the most realistic candidate; anyone building from scratch for general-purpose desktop use would be better served by a different class of processor.