Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3

Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 is an 8-core, 16-thread Haswell-EP processor for Intel Socket 2011-3. It runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost, with an 85 W TDP, and targets the server/workstation segment. Benchmark results place the chip at the 49th percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average score of 2246.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The E5-2629 v3 shows a clear split between its single-thread and multi-thread results. In Cinebench R15, the single-core score is 110 and the multi-core score is 782. In Cinebench R20, the single-core score is 460 and the multi-core score is 3262. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 1096 and the multi-core score is 7768. The multi-core side is clearly the stronger profile, which makes sense given the 8-core, 16-thread arrangement.

The boost clock of 3.20 GHz helps short bursts of lightly threaded work, while the base clock of 2.40 GHz defines the sustained all-core pace. The 20 MB shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory path matter more for multi-threaded data movement than for single-thread latency. Caches are split 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, with the larger 20 MB L3 shared across the chip. For workloads that spread across many threads, the multi-thread scores should be the primary reference. For workloads that depend on one or two cores, the single-thread scores are the relevant data.

The ratio between the two sides is large enough that the processor behaves very differently depending on software scaling. Lightly threaded productivity tasks will interact with the lower single-core numbers, while rendering, encoding, and other parallel workloads will engage the 8-core, 16-thread pool. In a server or workstation context, that split points toward mixed workloads where many concurrent processes can run at once. The benchmark data suggests this CPU is not built around maximizing single-core speed; it is built around maintaining strong throughput across all cores.

Power and Thermals

The E5-2629 v3 is rated at 85 W TDP. It is manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process, with 2,600 million transistors on a 356 mm² die. For a Socket 2011-3 processor, that TDP class implies a moderate cooling requirement rather than an exotic one. A capable air cooler is sufficient in most workstation chassis designs, based on the thermal envelope indicated by the data.

The CPU does not list integrated graphics, so display output depends on a separate graphics adapter. That affects system planning, since the machine will need a discrete GPU even for basic display. Memory support covers both DDR3 and DDR4 over a quad-channel interface, and the listed memory bandwidth is 59.7 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is a relevant feature for reliability-sensitive server and workstation builds.

The CPU supplies PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the processor itself. That gives substantial expansion room for storage controllers, GPUs, or accelerators. The production status is end-of-life, so this is a legacy platform part rather than a current roadmap component. From a cooling perspective, the 85 W TDP is manageable, but the platform age and server orientation should still be factored into any build decision.

How It Compares

The nearest rival in the database is the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500. Both processors have an average benchmark score of 2246, so the delta is 0%. By the aggregate metric, the two parts are exactly level, despite the E5-2629 v3 being a server/workstation Xeon and the Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 being a different product line.

The Intel Xeon D-1715TER is nearly as close. It averages 2238, leaving the E5-2629 v3 0.4% ahead. That delta is small enough that the two CPUs should be considered equivalent in overall benchmark position, with run-to-run variation likely greater than the gap.

The Intel Xeon E-2226GE averages 2234. The E5-2629 v3 leads by 0.5% in average benchmark score. Again, the difference is minor, and the practical takeaway from the data is that these parts sit in the same performance class.

The Intel Core i7-5775C is the furthest of the nearest rivals, with an average score of 2231. The E5-2629 v3 is 0.7% ahead. Even at the largest delta in this rival group, the margin is still very small. The comparison data shows the E5-2629 v3 occupying a narrow band shared by several distinctly different CPU families.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Xeon E5-2629 v3 use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 2011-3.

Q: Does the processor support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported. It also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 over a quad-channel memory bus.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is not unlocked.

Q: Does it have integrated graphics?

A: No, the integrated graphics field is null, so the CPU does not provide integrated graphics.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?

A: It provides PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes from the CPU only.

Q: What is the production status of this Xeon?

A: The production status is end-of-life.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score for the E5-2629 v3 is 2246. That places it at the 49th percentile of all CPUs in the database, which means the part sits near the middle of the overall distribution. It is not a top-end processor and it is not a bottom-tier one; the aggregate data puts it in the broad middle band.

The nearest rivals confirm that positioning. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 shares the same 2246 average score, producing a 0% delta. The Intel Xeon D-1715TER scores 2238, for a 0.4% delta. The Intel Xeon E-2226GE scores 2234, for a 0.5% delta. The Intel Core i7-5775C scores 2231, for a 0.7% delta. Each of these deltas is small, and the data clearly groups all four CPUs at the same aggregate performance level.

Looking at the individual Cinebench runs, the multi-core scores drive the aggregate result. Cinebench R15 multicore is 782, R20 multicore is 3262, and R23 multicore is 7768. On the single-core side, the scores are 110 in R15, 460 in R20, and 1096 in R23. The multi-core values are substantially higher than the single-core values in each version, confirming that the chip's performance character leans toward parallel workloads.

The 49th percentile rank also puts the chip in context against the full database rather than only the nearest rivals. The average score of 2246 is the summary figure that determines this rank. For a processor released as a Xeon E5 part, the aggregate benchmark position is competitive with mainstream desktop and workstation CPUs from the same era, but it is not near the top of the current field. The benchmark results indicate a part that can handle serious multi-threaded work without leading the pack in any absolute sense.

Who Should Consider It

The E5-2629 v3 is best suited to workloads that use many threads. The 8-core, 16-thread layout and the Cinebench multi-core scores of 782, 3262, and 7768 across R15, R20, and R23 point to solid throughput in rendering, encoding, and other parallel creation tasks. For a workstation that needs ECC memory, the support for ECC is a clear draw. The quad-channel DDR3/DDR4 memory interface with 59.7 GB/s bandwidth also supports memory-intensive workloads, and the 20 MB shared L3 cache is useful for cache-sensitive data sets.

Users with an existing Intel Socket 2011-3 platform can consider this CPU as a drop-in option for a server or workstation build. The 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provide substantial expansion capability for storage and accelerators. The market segment is explicitly server/workstation, so this is not positioned as a gaming processor. The single-core scores of 110 in R15, 460 in R20, and 1096 in R23 are modest, and workloads that depend heavily on single-thread performance will not see the same strength as those that scale across cores.

For office-style workloads that are lightly threaded, the data does not show a particular advantage over the nearest rivals. The part is better matched to environments running multiple concurrent threads, such as virtualized servers, batch processing, or multi-threaded content creation tools. Because it is end-of-life, builders should treat it as a legacy platform option rather than a forward-looking purchase. The benchmark profile is consistent: a mid-pack, multi-thread-oriented Xeon that makes the most sense for parallel, reliability-focused workloads on Socket 2011-3 systems.